Land scam and frauds--"Head must roll"

During the Second World War, the Japanese restored law and order with iron fist when they defeated the British in Singapore. Singapore was in chaos during transition but not for long. The Japanese soldier showed no mercy in order to restore the situation. They would behead those who found stealing or looting and heads were displayed to public-- immediately looting stopped. This was the short story that I picked-up from a Singapore Minister whom I met at Moscow, Russia back in October 2005.

In today’s world of human rights and human treatment values, such act of literally chopping heads is definitely not applicable but “chopping of heads” can be in the form of removal from office or position.

The comparable model is being practiced by most Multinational Corporation (MNC) to instill ethics in to their corporation. For example in Du Pont, employee can be dismissed over a ten cents toll ticket and the incident will be make-known to their employees world-wide. It serves as a reminder and a lesson to all employees that the company does not give way when it comes to ethics. It is never about the value of the offence, but of the company’s code of conduct and core values world-wide—be it managers or general workers, Americans or Asians, male or female. Similar values are incorporated in Shell, Exxon Mobil, Dow Chemical and etc.

The question is whether our Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi is willing to “chop the heads” of those guilty of corruption and abuse of office position for personal gains, to show that he really mean business and not just lip service. Or will he spare those with strong political connections from prosecution in order to protect his position in UMNO? Does he have the courage and political will to display his commitments on combat against corruption?

The various alleged land scam or frauds are being investigated by states controlled by People’s Alliance. We should to see Penang and Selangor filling official reports to the ACA in months if not the next few years. However, can the ACA act on it? Are they free to act on it?

The Anti Corruption Agency (ACA) is now under the Minister in the Prime Minister department. Will the ACA investigate or act against the Minister if he is suspected of corruption? How about the Minister's boss-- the Prime Minister? There is obvious conflict of interest with the ACA set-up.

While I look forward for those who are corrupted be brought to justice, I have little confident that the big timers close to the Prime Minister's circle will face justice.