WHY ANTI-CORRUPTION CRUSADES OFTEN FAIL TO WIN LASTING VICTORIES

Political Reasons for Failures of Anti-corruption Crusades

Politically, there are many reasons why anti-corruption reforms do not take root.

First, it may be that the crusade was never a serious attempt at reform, with the government simply reacting to a scandal or, in the case of many developing countries, external pressure from donors. If a government is simply going through the motions, it may not put the right people or adequate resources into the crusade. This will result in the crusade not having any serious impact or simply fizzling out. For example, when the Turkish Parliament began investigating allegations of corruption of its two former Prime Ministers, it looked like the beginning of a serious anti-corruption crusade. However, current media reports of the Parliament clearing them of these charges have fueled speculations that the campaign is not serious and “a safe political exercise.”

Second, a government may use the excuse of an anti-corruption crusade to carry out witch hunts of its opponents. Under such circumstances, people will become uneasy about whistle-blowing or exposing corruption as they do not know the real motives for such an exercise. In fact, the seeming singling out or framing of innocent individuals would quickly blow the credibility of such a "reform."

Third, a government may be very serious about fighting corruption but do not take the time and the effort to consult and get the buy-in of its social partners: businesses and civil society entities. Without a national consensus, even a genuine anti-corruption crusade driven by a government may be misconstrued or not be supported by the rest of society.

Fourth, a government may genuinely start an anti-corruption campaign and be put out of power or shift its political priorities. This type of scenario calls for a need to also ensure that opposition is also on board of anti-corruption crusades. Then, even when there is a transition of power or a shift in political priorities, the opposition will either come into power or put pressure on the government to continue on with reforms. The importance of involving the opposition parties is illustrated by what is currently happening in Japan. The opposition-proposed bill to prevent political corruption through banning lawmakers from receiving goods in return for political favours has mobilized some members of the ruling party to agitate for their party to take action on this front.

Anti-Corruption Summit 2000: United Nations Presentation(excerpt)

‘MACC and Anti-Corruption Crusade’

All Malaysians, regardless of ethnics and way of life are eager to see what operational course taken by SPRM/MACC which has been commissioned as an Independent agency against Corrupt Practices and other related offences . This does not mean that we are impatient to see their assignment done. This is neither a verdict that we desired a hasty, emotional, sentimental and panic driven feeling towards anti-corruption crusade.

However the agency should be aware of the public perception and expectations. The inability of the agency to meet the public perception and expectation will lead to the agency being tagged as “toothless bulldog.” Minimise the gap between what MACC deliver and what our public expect, and what MACC can do about it

No doubt fighting corruption needs strategic, scientific and careful approach, with no room for rhetoric, contending that the crusade should not be about going after the petty ones in the society alone. The big guns should also be in their list without fear or favor. Pak Lah, our ex-premier has put MACC on the right track. The days of hypocritical grand-standing are over. Fight against corruption, status and stature count for nothing. The only thing that counts is integrity and sincerity. The mandate of the agency, known to the public is to investigate and prosecute offences under the appropriate act or any other law prohibiting corruption.

Beside that, the agency should also educate the public on the ills of bribery, corruption and related offences and enlist and foster public support in combating corruption. The best way to ensure a durable and sustainable fight against corruption is to educate our people within all sources available.

The agency should burst out and get cracking. Persuading our citizen to report corruption to appropriate quarters and if possible reward them. My justification is that earlier attempts to fight corruption had been spasmodic and half-hearted. Those were the days of the national cake syndrome when the citizen of all levels grab whatever he or she could lay hands on regardless of the illegality of the act. As for the communities, they have the responsibility to rebuild itself as the nucleus of a value driven society.