SHAH ALAM – Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah has lauded Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Mohd Kamal Hassan for the latter’s courage in not mincing his words when he linked the words “corruption” and “hypocrisy” with Malay politics in the title of his new book.
The Perak ruler took special note of the book’s title: “Corruption and Hypocrisy in Malay Muslim Politics – The Urgency of Moral-Ethical Transformation”, seeing that Malays are known for gently rebuking others in the interest of civility and sensitivity rather than calling a spade a spade.
“The author chose two key words – corruption and hypocrisy – courageously linking these two strong key words with Malay politics to be part of the book’s title.
“The Malays, for a long time, (have been) known for the culture of metaphors, figurative rhetoric, parallelisms, and poetic flourish.
“In desiring to protect feelings and sentiments, Malays are typically extremely cautious in expressing reproach (reprimands) and even are said, metaphorically, to be prepared to punish their own flesh and blood (offspring) even though the source of the anger (therefore, the actual target of the anger) is actually external, such as (their) in-laws.
“This indirectness reflects this typical cautious approach. Indeed, the author’s approach represents a new one that is out of the norm – out of the community’s cultural ‘box’.
“The author faces the risk of incurring the indignation of some within the Malay community, especially those who ‘feel the heat’, so to speak,” said the sultan during the book’s launch today.
Furthermore, he observed that Kamal was prepared to face those risks based on the desire to jolt the Malay-Muslim community and ensure that it is awakened from the stupor of “slumber and complacency”.
The Perak royal described corruption as a viral endemic that is very inimical and, in many ways, far more dangerous than the Covid-19 outbreak.
He then defined it as the misuse of power for the sake of self-enrichment or to give an advantage to an individual, family members, and close associates whilst being entrusted with the mandate and responsibility to administer and manage public resources.
“Corruption is identified as one of the main causes in economic stagnation; the loss of foreign investor interest and confidence; increase in administrative and business costs; denying services delivery access to the people; as well as contributing to political instability.
“Corruption results in unsustainable development, environmental pollution, wealth distribution that is unequal and inequitable, and leakages of a nation’s resources,” he said.
He added that even though many nations have been blessed with various sources of wealth, a country can still be trapped and locked into backwardness, under-development, and poverty if its wealth and riches are abused by the corrupt.
This would in turn lead to a loss of national revenue and as a consequence, backwardness would continue to afflict the nation – leading to increasing poverty as the country is paralysed and destroyed by its cancerous spread.
Poison pen letters and potholes indicators of corruption
Taking his observation further, the sultan pointed out that the number of complaints reported to the authorities as well as other issues raised by the public via social media platforms actually hints at a spreading culture of corruption within the society.
“In addition, the number of complaints and grievances reported to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission together with the agencies and departments, the exposures contained in ‘surat layang’ (anonymous letters penned by insiders or ‘whistle-blowers’), news reported in the media, and issues publicised on social media should be thought of as a reflection or a mirror and regarded as an indicator of the rampant culture of corruption that is happening.
“In fact, even the potholes on the roads, clogged drains, collapsed buildings, leaked roofs, environmental degradation, illegal encroachment, poorly managed parks – all of which have their own distinctive languages – communicate the message concerning the standard and state of governance today.
“The attitude and response towards these issues will determine whether or not corruption is to be addressed with real determination or merely empty rhetoric that is devoid of or not accompanied by meaningful action.
“A responsive attitude that urgently acts to correct and rectify will not only address the abuse of power and poor governance but also heighten confidence and trust by the rakyat in the government,” said the Perak royal. – The Vibes, September 22, 2022
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