A statement unheard of

I am very impressed for his thoughts and eloquences. Very apt, straightforward and wise comment that is unheard of. Yes indeed I'm talking about Raja Nazrin Shah. He spoke that those with chequered past or clear evidence of questionable morality should be prevented from taking office. The time has come for leaders in public office to come clean and this is important and integral to good governance. His highness further states that figures in authority must be chosen base on integrity first and qualification second. Words by His highness should be adhered to as it is not a norm for members of the royalty to make public statements.

Integrity and honesty are elements that are utmost important in leadership. It was Ahmad Badawi image as Mr. Clean that cause the BN government to win an unprecedented 92% in the 2004 general election. Malaysians were taken by the new image of the Prime Minister at that time. Malaysian were swayed by his promises to eradicate corruptions. That was dictated in his manifesto to make Malaysia "Cemerlang, Gemilang dan Terbilang" and with his infamous "Walk the Talk" statement. But what happen to his manifesto and promises to the people. It seems to be that all these are "Temberang" comments and speeches that does not hold any weight at all. It is so true what Lord Acton have said in his famous pronouncement that "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely". That seems to suggest that if the PM have such majority in both Houses of Parliament and at the same time controlling the Executives, and when you have a concentration of power in a few hands, all too frequently men with the mentality of gangsters get control. History has proven that.

Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentarians, State Assemblymen, Local Councillors etc are all stakeholders of power in our country. They have power to influence members of the public. What they utter are seen by their supporters as words of wisdom and guidance. As such they must be seen to be honest and sincere. Corruption must be rooted out from this society and must be buried and burned. People in high places must be careful not to indulge in corrupt practices, and there must be concrete anti corruption plan and measures based on efficiency, transparency and accountability.

Malaysia MUST say NO to corrupt practices and immorality BUT to say yes to INTEGRITY, HONESTY and RIGHTEOUSNESS