from: Muzaffar Syah Mallow, via email

Many have praised the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission over the recent revelation about suspected corruption and abuse of power of infrastructure projects valued at RM3.3 billion in Sabah.

The case has opened our eyes that it is still a long journey to fully eradicate and prevent corruption. It will take many years as it involves a change of mindset. But this shouldn’t deter us from continuing with our struggle regardless of how long it takes.

We can’t afford to keep our eyes closed and merely gossip about the matter with our colleagues, without taking any concrete action.

It is very easy to identify elements of corruption through the lifestyles of the suspect. A sudden change in lifestyle without reasonable explanation can be a good indication that they might be involved with corruption.

In the latest case in Sabah, many items seized by the authorities are relatively expensive or lavish items like jewellery, branded watches, cars and others.

It is highly improbable for any government servant to obtain such items regardless of their rank.

It is true that government servants enjoy high salary, but with the increase in the cost of living lately, the salary is only enough for a simple or moderate lifestyle, and certainly not to live like a billionaire.

A lavish lifestyle tells us it is time to query the source of their income. Sudden changes of lifestyle can also be good evidence under our law. The Malaysian Evidence Act 1950 allows the court to recognise such indication as circumstantial evidence which can be use to implicate the accused.

Muzaffar Syah Mallow is a lecturer at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia.

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