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The fight against corruption has intensified with the setting up of Transparency
International ( TI ) and its chapters in many countries across the world. A
non-governmental organization based in Berlin, transparency International was
founded in 1993 by a group of individuals who had become increasingly aware of
the devastating effects of corruption on human development and its distorting
effect on trade and investment. The group aims to stamp out corruption. Corruption deepens poverty by
distorting social and economic
development and disrupting the
provision of essential public
services. It also hurts democracy
by undermining principles of fair
play and justice. Instead of'
contracts being awarded on the
basis of fair competition relying on
price, quality and innovation, they
are awarded as a result of
competitive bribery. The
consequences are (lire. Investors
keep away and trade suffers.
TI defines corruption as the
use of public office for private gain. Decisions are made not for public benefit
but for private interests. Costs incurred are high and prestigious projects are
favored over cost-efficient development projects. Access to basic social and
economic rights such as education, medical care, adequate shelter and clean
water are jeopardized. The environment is threatened and human rights
abuse flourishes. When corruption increases, regimes become more secretive,
less tolerant of dissent and more fearful of the loss of power.
TI believes that the stamping out of corruption is not the responsibility of
any one agency but the responsibility of all parties concerned. Every section
of society must pitch in because corruption affects everyone, especially the
poor. The government, non-governmental organizations, members of society
as well as the local and international business communities must work
together if corruption is to be combated at all levels. As a first step, TI ropes
in governments to set up chapters in countries. The function of each national
chapter is to seek consensus and bring about systematic reform at both
national and international levels. The media is also brought into the picture
as one of the primary aims of each chapter is to raise public awareness. TI
does not believe in broadcasting names or attacking individuals but on
building systems that combat corruption.
TI publishes a quarterly newsletter and an annual Corruption
Perception Index. The index ranks countries from the cleanest to the most
corrupt, based on the perception of the international business community,
risk analysts and the general public. In 1998, some 85 countries participated
and Denmark topped the list as the country seen to have the least level of
corruption. In 1999, 99 countries participated and again Denmark took top
spot. Malaysia was ranked 29th and 32nd respectively over the two years. In
response to criticisms that the Corruption Perception Index had tended to
put unfair emphasis on developing countries, another ranking system was
devised. This is the Bribe Payers Index (BPI) which was introduced in 1999.
This survey attempts to gauge the tendency to bribe senior public officials by
major corporations. The survey ranks Sweden as the country least likely to
offer bribes while China occupies the bottom spot at number 19. Malaysia is
ranked 15th.
The Malaysian chapter of Transparency International is known as the
Kuala Lumpur Society for Transparency and Integrity and at present is
headed by Tunku Abdul Aziz. The society believes that any attempt to
redress the deteriorating scenario in Malaysia must be based on a long-term
plan. First, the public must be aware of their constitutional rights and ensure
that these rights are not taken away from them. Then they should assert
their right to good governance. To ensure that there is greater accountability
in both the public and private sectors, there is a need to institute more checks and balances. Information should also not be withheld but made available to
the public so that they will be better informed to make decisions.
To stamp out graft, there are some who believe that the penalties and
consequences that will befall the culprits if found guilty of corruption should
be made known to all. At the same time, a sense of outrage must be developed
in people so that they get angry at corruption because it is about injustice,
dishonesty and the impoverishment of many for the benefit of a few.
Nurturing such an attitude can only begin at home. If what makes a person
incorruptible are the values he holds on to -- personal, ethical and religious --
then the home exerts a mighty influence on inculcating these values in
individuals.
Graft must be stamped out. It is insidious and evil and in time to come,
will affect every level of society. It is time for people to stand up and act in a
concerted manner to rid society of this menace. Otherwise there is every
possibility that corruption becomes a way of life undermining justice and fair
play and all that is good in society.
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