Gerakan Wants Govt To Stamp Out Malpractices. (As If They Didn't Know All These Years!)

Gerakan has urged the government to take stern action against civil servants and political leaders who are found to have been involved in impropriety and malpractices.

Acting party president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the recent revelations by the Auditor-General's Report of irregularities reflected more openness about government, but were nonetheless very disturbing.

"Hence, in fully supporting the objectives of the National Integrity Plan launched by the prime minister three years ago, we urge the government to take more concrete and concerted follow-up actions to conduct full, independent investigations so as to take action against all those involved.

"Similarly, stern action must also be taken against political leaders, especially those with executive powers, who are found to have been involved in wrong doings," said Dr Koh in his inaugural address as acting Gerakan president at the opening of the party's 36th national delegates conference at Menara PGRM here today.

The gathering was opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in his capacity as Barisan Nasional chairman. Present were the leaders of other BN component parties. Dr Koh is helming the party as acting president after Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik stepped down on April 8.

Dr Koh said Gerakan also felt that steps taken to review and revamp the delivery system and procedure must be expedited to ensure greater accountability and transparency. "This is necessary to counter negative public perception and restore public confidence in the executive branch of the government," he said.

The general public, he said, expected the same commitment on integrity within the judiciary because it was the custodian and dispenser of justice.

Dr Koh said Gerakan supported the setting up of the Independent Committee of Enquiry as an important first step to scrutinise and ascertain the authenticity of evidence in the recent video clip controversy. "Public perception about the judiciary has been adversely affected by this and other revelations and allegations. If need be, a Royal Commission should be seriously considered," he added.

Dr Koh also said that Gerakan supported the call by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for a code of ethics for elected representatives and political leaders. "In debate or response to issues, leaders should avoid emotional outbursts with race-biased or gender-biased utterances that may hurt feelings and provoke negative reactions," he said.

Instead, all Malaysian leaders should always play a positive and constructive role in breaking down walls of misunderstanding, prejudice and hatred, and building bridges of understanding, tolerance, goodwill, mutual respect and love within the country's plural society, said Dr Koh.

He also reiterated Gerakan's undivided support for Abdullah's leadership. (Bernama)

***** My, my aren't we being extra honest and upright all of a sudden! Has the general election bug bit Koh? Only recently he was singing the Barisan brotherhood praise and thanksgiving tune and now he wants the hundreds and hundreds of crooks safely ensconced in government and party to be brought to justice!

While the call itself is welcomed, one must wonder about the timing and the sincerity behind it. Has Koh so quickly forgotten the PORR controversy and debacle in his own backyard? And frankly did he expect anything positive to come out from his urging of the government?

Also laughable is Koh supporting the call by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for a code of ethics for elected representatives and political leaders. Supporting Najib, mind you! Sounds and smells like a sandiwara to me.
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