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Battling corruption: Here`s a way!
Monday, 1 January 2007 - 10:04 PM SL Time
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It is not prudent to swallow everything that foreign powers dish out hook, line and sinker, especially when it comes from those who have a history of peddling a hidden agenda. The global rich have for their developing counterparts the same love that the fox has for the pullets. Hence, the need for the poor countries to be on their guard and look the gift horses not only in the mouth but in the belly as well.
However, that argument should not be used as an excuse to spurn anything that is foreign?especially foreign remedies for local ills. Some time ago, we remember the Sri Lanka health authorities refused to learn from Cuba how to battle the much dreaded winged menace called mosquitoes, in spite of that country`s reputation for having adopted a method to control it successfully in an environmentally friendly manner. The popular belief is that the mosquito repellent manufacturers blocked the adoption of the Cuban remedy at that time with the help of politicians and bureaucrats.
Politicians and their henchmen are blocking another foreign remedy for a serious illness the country is afflicted with, as we reported yesterday. This time round, they are objecting to not just a move to eliminate a vector but a plan to battle a dangerous germ. It is known as corruption and the remedy comes from the UNDP.
The UNDP has prepared a national plan to help Sri Lanka battle, inter alia, corruption and waste. How can corrupt politicians and bureaucrats be expected to support such a plan? If that is implemented, they will be the first casualties? Today, it is only the small timers engaging in corrupt practices, like coroners, peons and policemen who are caught in the bribery net. The proposed plan seeks to establish a mechanism with stronger and sharper teeth to go for the sharks.
The UNDP plan envisages more powers to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (the Bribery Commission as it is popularly known), an oversight committee and the abandonment of the present recruitment criterion to allow eminent persons other than retired judges to serve as commissioners. At present, the requirement is that two of the three commissioners must be retired judges of either the Appeal Court or the Supreme Court.
Politicians are divided only at elections. They stand united when their interests are threatened. Some tend to believe naively that the SLFP and the UNP began to cooperate only after the recent MoU that they signed with fanfare. There have been many previous instances of their cooperation to safeguard their interests. Together, they opened a new low in politics immediately after the PA government was elected in 1994, by stripping the Bribery Commission of powers to initiate its own investigations without waiting till complaints are lodged. By way of the Bribery Commission, they obviously wanted a docile lapdog not daring to take them on, instead of a guard dog which would have aggressively protected the public interest. The Commission must be empowered to initiate probes, however scary it may be to politicos and their partners in crime, who are thriving on bribery and corruption.
The need for an oversight committee is a long felt need. For, there could be lapses on the part of the Bribery Commission. On the other hand, who will guard the guards??Quis custodiet ipsos custodies? Unlike Plato, we can`t expect them to guard themselves against themselves, especially in this republic. So, it is always better to have an oversight mechanism.
Why should the Bribery Commission depend on retired judges? Retirement is the time for relaxation and not active engagement in anything. In this country, politicians, judges and generals don`t seem to know the meaning of retirement. Look at the way a retired President is trying to make a comeback. Upon reaching the retirement age politicians become pests, generals ambassadors and judges commissioners! That the Bribery Commission should have commissioners from fields other than the judiciary is a sensible suggestion, which needs to be heeded, with all due respect to the incumbent commissioners.
The UNDP plan, we learn, was prepared by former CEO of the Singapore Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, Chua Cher Yak after a series of consultations with local experts and opinion makers and the draft has been prepared by the former Legal Draftsman Nalin Abeysekera. The UNDP`s concern about the high incidence of corruption here should be appreciated. The government ought to ensure the implementation of the UNDP plan, if it is actually desirous of combating bribery and corruption, which has taken its toll on national development and rendered many a public institution hollow. That the country can make any headway without first successfully dealing with those twin evils is only wishful thinking.
The ball is now in President Mahinda Rajapakse`s court. Whether he will have the will to play hardball as regards corruption or choose to continue the on-going softball game remains to be seen.
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Roshan2007
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 214
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1 Jan 2007 17:03:23 GMT Report for Abuse
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The ball is now in President Mahinda Rajapakse's court. Whether he will have the will to play hardball as regards corruption or choose to continue the on-going softball game remains to be seen.
Where is Mahinda Chinthana?
Where are JVPers who promised to eliminate corruption?
Where are all our Patriots gone? |
kiwikanga
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1928
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2 Jan 2007 02:52:33 GMT Report for Abuse
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Battling Corruption - best way is to legalise it and call a bribe an 'Approval Payment', 'Consideration Charge' or 'Processing Fee' that way no one will be talking about 'bribes' in SL but just about Processing Fees Consideration Charges or Approval Payments. Sounds legal and dignified!!
Edited By - kiwikanga - 2 Jan 2007 02:54:39 GMT |
hmdqbl
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 368
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2 Jan 2007 07:57:03 GMT Report for Abuse
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Kiwi,
Novel but not unique in that similar terms are used in some quarters to legalize monetary bribes.
What about non monetary considerations like payments in kinds, supply of carnal and intimacy needs and trading in birth rights? |
kiwikanga
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Posts: 1928
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2 Jan 2007 11:58:59 GMT Report for Abuse
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Hmdqbl,
The biggest form of corruption in SL (about 99%) is all monetary. The other forms you mention cannot be classified as rampant in SL.
For instance you wouldn't be able to offer any of the things you mention to obtain a driving licence at the RMV or get off a speeding ticket, or get your case called up first in a court of law!
Edited By - kiwikanga - 2 Jan 2007 15:31:08 GMT |
justman
Joined: Mar 2006
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2 Jan 2007 22:19:06 GMT Report for Abuse
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Roshan2007
I doubt if the JVP could fight corruption,as they are not actively participating in the running of the country.They seem to be exposing and talking about it,at least it is a small step in that direction.As long as the people in the country take part with this corruption in a small way,by giving bribes and expecting favors for politicians,then the people running the state will thus be more encouraged.Anti corruption campaign must be from the grass roots. |
DVLADV
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2 Jan 2007 22:30:48 GMT Report for Abuse
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Where is Mahinda Chinthana?
Buried under the stolen tsunami funds!
Where are JVPers who promised to eliminate corruption?
You should be joking if you thought they were serious: They joined the team, built houses and put their kids in Colombo schools.
Where are all our Patriots gone?
Straight to the bank. |
Gaja
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4453
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2 Jan 2007 22:32:11 GMT Report for Abuse
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The UNDP plan envisages more powers to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (the Bribery Commission as it is popularly known), an oversight committee and the abandonment of the present recruitment criterion to allow eminent persons other than retired judges to serve as commissioners.
UNDP was not able to effectively and justly manage the joint GOSL/LTTE program SIRHN in 2003. I ended up funding myself to help develop Public Administration in North & East. The original promise was for the UNDP to fund it. I spoke directly to the UNDP head in Sri Lanka and also submitted my reports. They need to first get their own house in order before they preach to others. It is far better for Sri Lankans to live with their own mess than to import other people's mess.
Gaja Lakshmi Paramasivam from Australia |
Gaja
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2 Jan 2007 22:34:06 GMT Report for Abuse
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The ball is now in President Mahinda Rajapakse's court. Whether he will have the will to play hardball as regards corruption or choose to continue the on-going softball game remains to be seen.
When will the ball be in the Sri Lankan Public Court?
Gaja Lakshmi Paramasivam from Australia |
KURAL
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2 Jan 2007 22:39:26 GMT Report for Abuse
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When will the ball be in the Sri Lankan Public Court?
When the Sri lankan Constitution will be deeply reformed. |
samanj
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3 Jan 2007 11:37:25 GMT Report for Abuse
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' battling Corruption '
You need to appoint a couple absolute rogues to be in charge of the Bribery Commission..........
You set a thief to catch a thief.
Justman: JVP can fight corruption & bring efficiency if
they want to through K.D.Lalkantha & their
affiliated Trade Unions.
However, they are more concerned of a May day
rally to be held in April than PATRIOTISM they
need to dishout.
Their May Day plan are on the rocks due to short
sightedness & lack of forward thinking. |
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