KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will put another low-level politician in the dock today after six on Tuesday but all these occasional headline-grabbing sweeps will come to naught if it fails to secure one conviction.
After all, its success is few and far in between.
Much has been invested in the MACC, from stringent laws and punishments to special courts to fast-track the process against the corrupt who have lived off profitable relationship between government and business or where rules and regulations require palms to be greased.
It can happen with someone low in the hierarchy like an office-boy or an assistant to someone at the top of the ladder like a chief executive officer, an accountant, a magistrate or even a minister.
Malaysians just have to remember names like Tan Sri Eric Chia, Tan Sri Kasitah Gaddam, Datuk Saidin Thamby and other high-profile cases of corruption that made the headlines over the past years. All ended in acquittals.
The point to be learnt here is that dragging politicians to court and getting headlines is something Malaysians have seen before. It is as seasonal as the durians or the haze that smothers Malaysia annually.
There shouldn't be much political capital made of capturing such miscreants. It is part of the job and not the entire job of eradicating corruption.
After all in Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's election manifesto in Election 2008, his report card as it was called, the country's fifth prime minister was proud of the fact that the then Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) was investigating more cases.
One cannot tell if the ACA was investigating more cases or that the cases were growing faster than they could be prevented or eradicated.
Another point worth considering is the fact that some of those charged with graft involve measly sums for mundane things like ordering flags for RM2,400. How about those in Mara who purchased two notebook computers for RM84,640?
And what about those who approved buying the land for the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) for 67 per cent more than they could have? The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report is just the latest in a series of reports and allegations made over the years for this case.
What happened to the big fish? What happened to federal ministers who are quite clearly living beyond their means, let alone state leaders who live opulent lifestyles within a short time of government appointments.
When will they get to see their day in court? If ever.
And finally, can Malaysians surmise that only because of the fallout from Teoh Beng Hock's death that the MACC is trying to be even handed. That it is also looking at those from the ruling federal coalition apart from the few among their political rivals.
But going after small men in Umno/Barisan Nasional while allowing those who have gorged at the trough does not cut it as strong action to curb corruption.
The MACC has to do more. It has to get the big fish. It has to get the convictions that will keep the corrupt locked away for a long time as an example to those who think there are easy ways of making money.
Only then Malaysians will have the conviction to trust the MACC.
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