NST Leader: Another betrayal

New Straits Times

2 days ago

THERE has been another shocking — but increasingly unsurprising — revelation about betrayal by ro gue immigration and military officers.
Will this ever end? It's unpredictable, given the insatiable greed and easy illicit money to be made.
In the latest expose, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission snared five military officers and five civilians in the Klang Valley over links to a smuggling syndicate in the southern region that trafficke d prohibited goods, drugs and cigarettes.
In another round-up, four immigration officers at the Johor Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex were arrested for being part of a "flying passport" conspiracy that "cle are d" foreign passports in absentia of holders for entry and exit stamps for fees of RM500 to RM2,000.
Once stamped, the passport is returned by courier to the owner, who now holds a document stating "le gal" cross-border movement. This opens the risk to human trafficking and terrorism.
No amount of outrage and calls for full transparency by the powers that be is assuring, given the consistency of criminal collusion by the very people entrusted to safeguard our country.
Alarmingly, allies and whistleblowers may be hesitant to divulge intelligence in future for fear of exposure.
The compromises are obvious: criminals develop counter-measures to beat the system while creating new financial rewards to tempt rogue government officers.
It's easy to say that rogue officers can be controlled through prevention, accountability, monitoring, and enforcement, but these measures alone do not eliminate the urge for corruption.
There have been examples of the corrupt getting their comeuppance. Sudden transfers of senior officers, continuous surveillance, spot checks, denial of access and using technology to cut interference and opportunities for abuse.
All to no avail. Every time rogue government leaders and officers are caught, a new generation takes over.
It's like the Greek mythological monster Hydra of Lerna, a nine-headed serpent with regenerative abilities. When one head is severed, two grow back.
Malaysia's "Hydra of Corruption" is a complex, multi-headed and entrenched network almost impossible to dismantle.
Graft busters need to be ruthless. For starters, hold immediate supervisors accountable for their officers' roguishness, like demotions and immediate transfers.
An overhaul to phase out impunity and reinforce ethics will be unpopular, but it is needed.
In the meantime, the government should focus on systemic reforms, prevention, transparency, accountability and public par ticipation.
These are doable solutions, but slow and re - gaining loss in public trust not a guarantee.
To really flush out the rot, the government should introduce anti- corruption syllabus in schools. Teach, instruct and nurture kids to detest corruption like they hate slow Internet speed or having their smartphones and tablets taken away.