Tengku Razaleigh has called on the government to set up a “Truth and Reconciliation Commission to help address the issue of good governance by discovering the truth about the prevailing state of corruption, the extent of its practice and how to eliminate it as a way of life”, reports Malaysiakini.
“Upon coming into force, the commission could, for instance, declare a grace period of, say, six or 12 months or such other reasonable period to allow abusers to come clean and make amends for their misdeeds. During this moratorium no action would be taken against them. However, if it is subsequently determined that a declarant had not been truthful, then he would be pursued and the full extent of the law would be applied against him”, Kuli is reported to have said.
Good idea, but Kuli’s knocking on the wrong door in suggesting that the present government set this up.
I have been mooting this idea for some time too, except that my suggestion, made to some of the Pakatan leaders, was that they announce now that if they come to power post the 13th GE, there would be a total amnesty for the rank and file in the civil service and the police force for any past corrupt practices, provided the sums involved have not been huge, in which case some sort of restitution will be called for, and provided that they join the new government to usher in an era of full transparency and accountability and raise the standards of professionalism in their ranks.
This, hopefully, should put paid to the scare-mongering being perpetrated by UMNO now amongst the civil service that if a new regime takes over Putrajaya, there will be a witch-hunt and it will not just be UMNO leaders who will be heading to Sungai Buloh prison.
As for the big guns both in the public, private and corporate sector, the senior civil service and police officers, who have been privy to corrupt self-enrichment at the expense of the rakyat, I will go along with Kuli’s suggestion.
A moratorium and a guarantee of amnesty subject to there being full and frank disclosure followed by restitution.
This commission, a post 13th GE creation by the new non-BN government, to aid in the rehabilitation of the nation by restoring as much of the wealth of the nation back into her coffers, in my view, should not be made up of anyone from the political parties or the civil service.
Let this be a civil society commission.
Why?
I am going to be blunt.
There will be those in the opposition presently who, we hope, will, post the 13th GE, be part of the new government.
Some from amongst them were part of the BN administration previously and were themselves involved in corrupt practices. Names need not be mentioned here or in comments to this post.
The object of this post is not to shame anyone.
They, too, must avail themselves of the amnesty and make restitution.
For this reason, it is important that the commission as now proposed by Kuli be totally independent of the new government so that, firstly, no allegation of cover up could be leveled at the new government in respect of past misdeeds by their own rank, and secondly, so that the task of recovering the wealth of the nation, or as much of it as may be possible, is not only done, but manifestly seen to be done.
ablogsmith
December 12, 2012
Yes, the important part is about restitution. There must be return of a significant part of the loot stolen.
Paul Warren
December 12, 2012
People should realise that after over 20 years and after chasing for the money all over the world and having spent so much time, energy and resource over it the successors of the Marcos regime in the Philippines only managed to get something like $300 million. Bearing that in mind, look at South Africa where the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was first introduced to this world. They moved on. Yes, sure, for some like Gani Patail and all those who were involved in bringing the judiciary to what it is today, err…lets hang them. But with Little Napoleans and what not, well, I guess they will learn pretty fast that it might be better to be rats.
Bro,
Hang Gani and the likes of him?
Can I sponsor the rope?
Another Anak Bangsa Malaysia
December 12, 2012
Haris,
An independent and non-partisan commission to eradicate corruption is long overdue in Malaysia.
It is unfortunate that Malaysians, in general, seem to find corrupt behaviour quite acceptable when it is “small time” stuff.
The use of a more “gentle hand” by a commission such as that which you are talking about will go a long way towards educating Malaysians that even “small time” corruption is not acceptable.
As always, more power to you, Haris Ibrahim🙂
Albert Choong
December 12, 2012
I really admire the passion and integrity of brother Harris Ibrahim and a person who implements his work according to ABC for over 20 years, unlike his one time friend, RPK. Well ABC is the reformed slogan of Dr.M. A manah,
B ersih,
C ekap
If we add extra to the above, it could become a catchy slogan tool against BN and UMNO b! Here we go: Siapa yang bohong dan Kotor? – BN (daching)
UBAH dan ABU!
I fully support the proposals of brother Harris in dealing with the big sharks and robbers of the people’s coffers :- punishments and restitution. Among BN members, public and corporate officers, police and armed forces officers. And even among PR members. It might not or might be as simple as ABC!
shakuntala
December 13, 2012
Give the Rakyat the benefit of seeing the high and the mighty ground good and proper,to get at the truth,albeit in a humane way since the idea should not be to give an eye for an eye.
The new government must have not only have good sense but also senseability
To think of the many poor and down trodden saddened and bruised by the injustices of the rich.and the famous.
Haris, bravo, for the law within you and for wanting to see it to be done.!
Taipan
December 13, 2012
In the context of criminal law, restitution is a regular feature in the sentences of criminal defendants. Restitution in the criminal arena refers to an affirmative performance by the defendant that benefits either the victim of the crime or the general public. Retrospectively, it seems appropriate therefore that a total amnesty for the rank and file in the civil service and the police force for any past crimes of corrupt practices, provided, if I may add, they undergo a period of rehabilitation before they could be absorbed into the new administration. For those that have committed crimes against the nation and people, it is my view that they should be brought to book with the setting up of an independent tribunal with full judicial power.
shashi karu
December 13, 2012
Firstly, “Names need not be mentioned here or in comments to this post.” What BS is this? If this person is contesting in my constituency, I want to vote them out (or not vote for them).
Secondly, I believe you yourself are barking up the wrong tree if you think Pakatan Rakyat (PKR in particular) is going to let civil society head this commission. Although, I would have to agree that it should be headed by civil society. Unfortunately, PKR in particular has the annoying habit of immersing its politicians into “independent” groups, including Suaram and National Oversight & Whistleblowers (NGOs), Malaysiakini, Malaysia Chronicle and Makkal Ossai (Media Organisations) and other intermediary groups (e.g. NESA) – thus compromising their ability to actually carry out independent decision making. I would find it hard to believe that Suaram, NOW or Malaysiakini undertakes tasks for corruption in PR (case in point: selangor mining issues that still go on today, PKR elections, etc. etc.). I don’t think PR would be crazy enough to let a Reconciliation Commission be independent at all.
And you wonder where they learnt this strategy from..
Why don’t you start working for the rakyat and hold PR accountable to the same standards of BN? Sometimes I feel like you treat appease PR too much.
RPK student
December 13, 2012
yada yada BN has 100% to set up “Truth and Reconciliation Commission”
Taipan
December 13, 2012
Are we so scared of being judged that we look for every excuse to procrastinate? Restoring the 4 pillars of democracy should be the top agenda of the newly elected government which is crucial if the country were to move forward. These are the wishes of the people by whose mandates the government of the day derives its power from. In a democracy, the Rakyat is the supreme and let those in power never ever forget that!
Learn to see past any masks, devices, or inventions that obscure your essence!
Another Anak Bangsa Malaysia
December 13, 2012
shasi karu,
One step at a time.
Let’s get rid of BN this time.
During Pakatan’s tenure, we, the rakyat, will keep reminding them of the need to introduce anti-corruption measures, eg education at school, media campaigns, declaration of assets by politicians, etc etc.
If Pakatan lets us, the rakyat, down in the next five years – we’ll put in BN or whoever is handy in GE14.
We will repeat the process as many times as necessary until we rid Malaysia of the scourge of corruption. It simple and it works, you know🙂
Ellese
December 13, 2012
Are you driven by principles or by partisanship? Oh yeah of course the latter. Be principled. You cannot shame one side and shame the other while claiming you don’t want to shame. You can enact legal laws just to target one party and not the other. It must be neutral. If affects bn it should also affect PR. Isn’t this the equality before the law harped by civil society. Why should pr be given preference in law? Why selective persecution? Why are you copying bn text book method thinking one is above all? So if the supreme leader of the opposition is caught it must affect pr. He cannot be our PM. If we demand the same from bn we must demand the same from PR. And please also include the expensive haj sponsorship by concessionaires to the venerable leader of one pr party. I’m trying not to mention any names here.
RPK student
December 13, 2012
I am RPK student .I am independent person.We must be principled and non-partisan.Alway be independent even if there is no chance for BN to set up “Truth and Reconciliation Commission”
Taipan
December 13, 2012
You sure do ask a lot of questions but only to answer them yourself. Why even bother asking them in the first place? I suggest you read the postings over and over once again and see how much you have contradicted yourself.
I thought there was still an ounce of intelligence left in you. Obviously not! Sigh!
najib manaukau
December 13, 2012
What has the present watchdog got to say about corruption in this country ? After all they are the corrupted ones, how can they say or propose any preventive measures. The civil servants are not only emulating what the warlords of Umno are doing without any fear just because they know they can get away with whatever they are doing for two reasons. First the ‘big fish’ are too busy stealing for themselves and two how can you expect a thief trying to catch another thief ? The pots cannot call the pans black, that is why yearly the auditor general reports show the irregularities and abuses that are going on within the system. Yet nothing is done about the situation, not to mention that the report would deter the abuses and stealing that goes on and on. In the end who are paying for these abuses ?
So to ensure that will stop, have the regime changed in the coming GE !
shakuntala
December 13, 2012
sashi karu it is hard to find anyone working as hard for the Rakyat as Haris is.one wonders how he does it!!….yes Haris has stressed accountability and PR hasn’t been overlooked maybe it hasn’t been stressed enough times.
And PR knows that they have to deal with a demanding Rakyat this time around.
But you need to look at the Peoples Agenda, the Peoples Voice and the Peoples Declaration to get familiar with the importance of the Rakayt,re, nation building.
Go ahead vote for the good person in your estimation….since you appear to be clever enough to know who you would be voting for.
big loser
December 13, 2012
ku li– a;lways the biggest loser–
Malaysianatheart
December 13, 2012
Pipe dreams bro, pipe dreams!! Ain’t no way either faction is going to allow this. The Commission will never happen – not the way KULI or you have suggested. Restitution?! hah! In your dreams mate! Come out and say – “YES I DID IT” in exchange for complete amnesty? Never! Most of them are still, and will continue to be, in positions of power But good luck to you guys. It is worth a try.
Yes, I have a dream…
Wave33
December 13, 2012
MUST WATCH!
Deepak talk about PM and FLOM
Voter Wan Abdullah
December 13, 2012
After donkeys years in a corrupted umno/bn G.ment, Kuli still believed that this filthy evil bn government can be redeemed esp by themselve is like me still believe that Santa Claus do exist…lol.
Remember to check your status here: http://daftarj.spr.gov.my/NEWDAFTARJ/ to prevent fraud. i.e Evil & Super Racist umno/bn quietly transfer you to another constituency without your knowledge thus enabling pengundi HANTU to vote BN. Good things are meant to be shared …so SHARE & SPREAD this link via email/ FB/Twiiter to ALL.
bigjoe99
December 13, 2012
When Najib first took office, the idea of giving amnesty for corruption was floated by no less than his own brother Nazir. It was revealed the idea was rejected outright by Najib, I believe, on the excuse that UMNO’s Supreme council would.
In fact, the concept was floated several times in the past even under Mahathir by those minority who were relatively clean but each time such reason as ‘not ready’ or ‘it will harm UMNO’, etc was given..
There really is no way to do it given the entrenched interest of UMNO/BN. Someone will bring whoever proposes it down if they tried because NO ONE is absolutely clean in UMNO/BN..
Hence, it reason that such a ‘Truth commission’ can only be done by another party by removing UMNO. Its the same as so called ‘Economic Transformation’ – it can’t really happen without removing UMNO. Its simply camouflage. ‘Truth’ can only come about only after UMNO is out of office.
Penjuang Duit
December 13, 2012
Dear Kuli, All those talks and talks, and sweet pleasantaries are over, we rakyat DON”T trust nor have time to see what can get improved by govt. We want them out! It’s time for action Kuli, not another rounds of meetings, get-togethers,seminars,gentlemen engagements borak borak craps….those guys never proved sincereity for once and we had been had over over again.
Kwok Weng Tuck
December 13, 2012
Professional lie detector tests can make a difference!
Malaysianatheart
December 13, 2012
Wave 3 has posted the video of Deepak’s press conference. Najib is in deep shit bro. They aren’t letting up. Mamakkutty’s juggernaut is in full swing. I hope your little birds will be able to fill us in on the undercurrents in UMNO ASAP. As I see it – this could be very dangerous for the Rakyat and our aspirations for the 13th GE. There seems to be an agenda that requires them to remove a stumbling block to some insidious plan to hang on to power. We all need to be vigilant bro. Very dangerous, very, very dangerous.
shakuntala
December 13, 2012
Wan Abdullah passing around the useful Pilehanraya link you so kindly are alerting us to check with and spread….”sharing good things” as you put it is…. Spirit.
shakuntala
December 13, 2012
Some wrongdoers may have such a bad conscience that they would want to tell the truth in order to set themselves free.
Like Deepak for instance, we can imagine him to be play acting, or that he is being manipulated, but his mind also plagues him. At the end of the day, when all is said and done not the right way, there is a persuasion within you which cries out for release and for righting things. That is why truth is so powerful, it cannot be stopped.
Good suggestion from Kuli although we don’t know if it will work., .many would be planning a quick getaway, as usually happens. Still we can give doubt the benefit.
Papa ape
December 18, 2012
UMNO and BN have lost all credibility.
Still, it’s its not impossible. But how would you like Malaysia absolutely RULED by truth & justice?