How many failures before institutional reform is dead and buried?

2026-03-08 - 00:54

How many persons does it take to replace a light bulb? In the world of humour, three – one to change the bulb and two to rotate the ladder to achieve the task. On a related note, how many bills tabled in Parliament requiring a two-thirds majority for passage, need to be unsuccessful for institutional reform to be considered buried, more so with absenteeism of MPs? How many dedicated committees of civil servants are required to investigate claims against another senior civil servant, who incidentally, heads an enforcement agency, on asset declaration. How many no further actions (NFAs) are required before the “absolute” powers of the attorney-general and the public prosecutor can be curtailed? This given a current appeal to a higher court. On recent developments, another question is: how many people are required to engage in a plot to overthrow the government”, for it to be considered worthy of investigation? If it involves only the widow of an ex- minister, and allegedly her children in cahoots with an international publication, then there is much to worry about. It infers a degree of fragility of an elected government. This is contentious and dangerous. In all matters , logic should prevail! The instance of the changing of the lightbulb serves to reflect how warped and distorted, not to mention hilarious, some episodes can turn out. This writer had a year ago written a tribute “Daim, the proud son of Malaysia” Will my views be considered “supportive” of one suspected of possible corruption, though a case has yet to be made or charges preferred? For the record, the only instance when this writer was in close physical proximity, of less than three feet, was as a young banker in the mid-80s shuffling legal documentation for Tun to sign on behalf of the government of Malaysia at an international loan syndication event. Unfortunately, Daim Zainuddin passed on before he could clear his name on a charge related to declaration of assets pursuant to Section 36 of the MACC Act. Normally this Section 36(1) (which includes spouses and children) is invoked when persons are believed to be living beyond their means or are involved in corruption. Interestingly, the declaration of assets, or perceived lack thereof, is attracting the attention of a specific international media publication. Ironically, the head of the enforcement agency investigating is also being called to answer on his declaration of assets by a special committee, notwithstanding it being declared on the HRmanagement information portal, as claimed. Such a step is unprecedented. Some quarters have suggested that the same Section 36 notice be served on this officer, a mere civil servant – just as was done to the spouse/children of a departed Bumiputera icon. Purportedly, the report commissioned by the family, as alleged, is attracting international attention. It has yet to be released and supposedly was to present an alternative narrative, to what is being currently presented in the home country, on the family. Whether the strategic plan as detailed in the report was connived as a a plot to overthrow any government is left to be seen as our authorities hurriedly investigate. If the government is perceived to be intimidated by its own shadow, as possibly contained in the report, then a rethink on multiple fronts is of utmost urgency. It may or may not lead to a change in government as the electorate is not as gullible, as some opine, on what is reported in the international media, be it alleged plots or otherwise Only the electorate can decide on a new government, not phantom coup plotters. The current shenanigans surrounding the perceived slow pace of reform, lawmakers being absent at crucial vote counts, unity partners with six-months ultimatums, legal status of places of worship, perceived selective investigations, shadow play on the spirit of separating the functions of the AG and public prosecutor, sidestepping on the UEC issue and a host of other issues are enough to gauge public opinion at the next election. Efforts should focus on improving the internal environment with resources diverted to curbing the proliferation of corruption in the civil service, locating missing persons including Jho Low, managing urbanisation and possibly reflecting on why the Bar Council is challenging decisions by the AG on prominent political figures In Malaysia, we may not need to change the light bulb. So, stop resourcing three men and divert them to where they can contribute the most, lest we become the butt of cruel jokes! The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.