How should we judge a government?

In Malaysia, if you don't watch television or read newspapers, you are uninformed; but if you do, you are misinformed!

"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." - Malcolm X

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience - Mark Twain

Why we should be against censorship in a court of law: Publicity is the very soul of justice … it keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial. - Jeremy Bentham

"Our government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no
responsibility at the other. " - Ronald Reagan

Government fed by the people

Government fed by the people

Career options

Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?

When there's too much dirt...

When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.

Prevent bullying now!

Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Dealing with Corruption - lack of skill or will?

Year in, year out, we read highlights of the Auditor-General's Report and exclaimed at the incredible prices paid for certain items or work done. As sure as daylight, it would come on, causing outrage and comments and even police reports. But we do not get any mention of follow-up action resulting in punishment of those responsible. Why? I have just read The Sun's article on this which explains most of the reasons:

Who calls the shots? By Terence Fernandez

http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=39449

People have often wondered why guilty civil servants do not seem to face punishment as we expect of them, just being transferred to another department or ministry. Even this so-called punishment can actually be meted to those responsible for not co-operating with fraudulent activities, which further blurs public perception of who is right or wrong!

Don't under-estimate the power of civil servants because of their almost permanency in government service until retirement, compared with politicians who come and go every few years or so.

A minister can announce that the policy is such and such, but the practical side can be quite different as implemented by the civil servants, and it happens all the time which is why most people do not take much notice of ministerial statements.
Link

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