Letters - Rhetorical or realistic?

THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has come out again with commendable recommendations to combat corruption.
Are these measures rhetorical or realistic? Creating awareness among students on the evils of corruption are important. But what about educating politicians to resist and combat corruption? They must set the example for integrity.
Why not give orientation courses to all MPs, assemblymen and councillors? Why not the MACC warn them that their conduct and wealth will be monitored. And those who can't prove that their new wealth is legitimate should be prosecuted.
How long can the values of integrity taught by parents and teachers stand up to the raw power and greed that is shown and practised brazenly in the real world?
Speed up the introduction of new laws to fight money politics.
Are the new awareness programmes in schools, on how to deal with corruption, another soft and ad hoc measure to fight corruption?
How serious are we in implementing the UN Convention against Corruption? This vital question brings us all to the overriding Malaysian concern – as to how much political will does our government have in combating corruption realistically?
Are we to protect the faces of corrupt officials, both in government and the private sector and at the expense of our people, especially the poor?
Besides parents and teachers, let's not forget the powerful influence of our diverse and fervent and dedicated religious teachers and religious leaders.
Why have they not been more actively encouraged and even incentivised to preach the fear of God and to struggle against corruption?
Can they be persuaded, all these ulamas and priests, to join government in a national campaign to combat corruption?
Please include the clergy of all religions to lead in the campaign.
We must ask ourselves whether we want to be rhetorical or realistic in fighting corruption?
If we are realistic and not just rhetorical, we have to send more powerful signals to our government to overcome the evils of corruption.
Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam
Chairman
Asli Centre of Public Policy Studies