The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission must be lauded for its efforts in exposing corrupt practices that have become endemic in our society.

In a manner of saying, it has started to flush the worms from the woodwork, although it has yet to probe deeper and higher into the labyrinths of patronage and power.

Suffice for now that the MACC is moving on a trajectory to cleanse the malaise of malfeasance that has adversely affected the financial health of the nation.

The tentacles of corruption have spread far and wide from Johor to Sabah, Putrajaya to Perak right up to the northern Peninsula and East Malaysia’s borders. The perpetrators come from the hard pressed bottom billions as well as from the opulent elites.

What is most perplexing however is how high profile corrupt practices have gone undetected by the respective state authorities, ministries and heads of GLCs and other semi-government agencies for so long.

For example, the Sabah government was oblivious to the massive corrupt practices at the Sabah Water Department. The latest case in Johor, though involving a lesser amount of money, is more serious as it involves the son of the state assemblyman entrusted with the housing and local government portfolio.

How could he be oblivious of the shady land deals within his purview and ambit that involved his son and a special officer and five others? One wonders how his son’s lavish lifestyle escaped his attention.

How does one handle this abominable scourge that the MACC has exposed, which could just be the tip of the iceberg? It all boils down to good and proper governance by capable, honest leaders with integrity at the helm, providing good role models.

And equally important are the check and balance agencies like the MACC, which is charged with the responsibility of preventing corrupt and unsavoury practices, to undertake their sacred duty without fear or favour.

Mohamed Ghouse Nasuruddin is a keen observer in governance and an FMT reader.

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