Is there a ghost in ACA?

Last week, there was a big news regarding the allegations of corruption against a senior public servant officer, the Chief of ACA itself. By right, he is the last person in Malaysia that we expect such a thing to happen. ACA must not only be clean but must be seen to be clean of corruption.

But this one is very serious because the allegations came from the former Sabah ACA State Director. In short, he is going after his former boss now. So as expected, Pak Lah calls for a full probe and directs the IGP to investigate the matter further.

I’m both shock and sad to learn the news. Shock, because a former state ACA director is not just any tom-dick-harry, so the allegations must be taken seriously by the government, the director knows well the repercussions that might fall on him should the allegations are without any basis. He can go to jail for that. He might be charged for sedition, it’s up to AG of course.

I’m sad because Pak Lah has made promises to fight corruption at all level but his men are not helping him. I mean ACA is under Pak Lah ministry, so ACA should be the first group of men to fight corruption with Pak Lah but unfortunately it seems that some of his top men are refusing to share their leader’s aspiration. What a shame! I suggest Pak Lah take a little break for a while and watch the movie “A Few Good Men” starring Tom Cruise and Jake Nicholson. Maybe he learns something there.

To me, when there is a police report of corruption or official allegation of corruption, a formal investigation must be carried out immediately by the police or the ACA. First, to verify the sources of the complainant’s report. Second, to find the evidence of corruption. Third, to arrest and charge the person involved as soon as possible, no matter what.

But in our pursuit and excitement to show the world that we are not a corrupt government, we must take precaution also. We cannot go after the ghost because we are using government resources here. The resources are financed by the people money (duit rakyat). Surely it’s not free. The government collects taxes to run the police force, the AG’s chambers, the judiciary and even the jails.

So I do not agree if we spend the money on false reports, I do not agree if we spend the money to please anyone or to prove something to other foreign countries or investors. If there is no evidence against the officer involved or if the case is already closed, then why we should spend the duit rakyat on these cases again. Just close them but go after another case.

Some critics may say that the ACA investigation was not done properly or selective prosecution occurred or hidden hand involved in certain cases. But where is the evidence of that.

It’s better to spend the money to reduce poverty and to upgrade public facilities than waste it to chase the ghost of corruption. Actually most cases become ghost cases because ACA lacks of credible witness and evidence to proceed further.

So good luck to ACA on your new big case against you own boss. I hope he is not a ghost :-)