Readers respond to Give ACA more 'teeth'


Julian Woon, Penang: Thank you for bringing up the ACA subject. In fact, I was not even aware that a new director-general of the agency has been appointed until your article.

However, I do not share your enthusiasm and hope in the new man to bring about changes for the better in the agency. The credibility of the ACA is bound to get worse.

The new DG, Ahmad Said Hamdan, is just a civil servant. Civil servants, as its designation implies, are meant to be civil. Top of it all, they must be civil to their bosses. So they have to do what they are told by the executive. They have to take instructions - this is how the civil service operates.

Hence, I do not expect a mere civil servant to do anything much for the ACA. Reviving the credibility and image of the ACA to an agency that is seen to be effective and trustworthy is the last thing we can expect of civil servants. It's not about enhancing the image of the country in order to attract more tourists to come here - that I have to give credit to civil servants.

I agree with you that a retired judge, a former minister or a veteran politician should head the ACA.
I have a suggestion. I believe that one of our veteran politicians in Penang, Karpal Singh, will make an effective ACA director-general.

Karpal is also a polished lawyer and he can best understand how far the law can go to prosecute the corrupt in the country. Although he is still a Member of Parliament, Karpal can always step down at the next general election and serve out his public service career by actively engaging in the anti-graft crusade.

But I know I'm hoping against hope. They do not want the 'Tiger of Jelutong' to catch the buaya. The last person this government wants is to have a real corruption crusader like Karpal Singh at the helm of the ACA.

That says a lot for the prime minister's goal to fight corruption, doesn't it?


Not fair to blame Ahmad Said, it's the system

Zuhrah S Ismail: It's is not surprising that the government has opted to promote the number two man in the ACA to be its new director-general.

That is a very safe decision because having an old agency hand guarantees you that the ACA will continue to operate the way it has been operating - i.e. selective persecution of the corrupt in this country.

As you have pointed out, I don't think the government wants the ACA chief to be a courageous character, one who is imbued with the strength of impartiality, fearlessness and wisdom. That's the last thing government leaders would want. They prefer someone who will toe the line at all times.

If not for the public fiasco created by its former DG Zulkifli Mat Noor, I am sure that an 'outsider' would have been appointed again to head the ACA, just as on the past few occasions. Most of the previous DGs have also learnt what is expected of them by the government - go after the small fishes all the time but prosecute the big buaya only some of the time.

I believe you are right by giving the new DG, Ahmad Said Hamdan, three years at the helm of the ACA. This is where the problem lies. He is probably aware that he is only a 'seat warmer' at the agency. He can also be told to retire anytime, even when he reaches the retirement age of 56 next year.

So what incentive is there really for him to bring about the necessary changes to the ACA. To be honest, I do not see much hope during Ahmad Said's tenure for a revamp of the agency.

The order to ensure that all levels of political, administrative, corporate, non-governmental and religious leadership are involved in the efforts to instill and internalise noble values so that a sense of abhorrence towards corrupt elements in the Malaysian community is intensified is perhaps too tall for the new boss.

This is not about being unfair to Ahmad Said or having no confidence in him. Putting the man in such circumstances, surely we cannot expect him to perform miracles. And miracles are needed in the ACA, as far as I'm concerned.

Thus, I will have very little faith in the ACA for the next few years, and because of that, I feel sad for this country. Corruption is bound to worsen.


On Anything but politics: Nurul Izzah says Johnny's so good

Nurul Izzah: Refreshingly plain and simple

Sue Othman, KL: From your interview with Nurul Izzah Anwar, I can see that she is still a young person but a very intelligent one.

For what she had gone through during her father's long incarceration, the experiences must have taught her a lot. She has also learnt to look at life differently.

People may pity her for the pain and agony she and her family had to go through for so many years but Nurul emerged out of it a much better person. I believe she would prefer respect more than pity.

Nurul has a long career ahead and many of those dear to her, including her friends, must be wishing that she will always remain the refreshingly plain and simple girl that she is.

It's also nice to know that Nurul is very close with her parents and elders. She also has a lot of respect for her husband. This is very important.

Like many others, I also wish Nurul Izzah all the best, particularly as she is about to take on a new challenge as a mother.


On No harm in saying 'Sorry lah, Pak Lah'

Hamdan Ibrahim: Elton John's Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word best describes Dr Mahathir's feeble attempt to apologise to his successor after he made a gaffe about the later's alleged purchase of a big mansion in Perth, Australia.

Our prime minister who had been ridiculed, insulted and made to feel like a fool running this country has so far maintained a dignified silence to the attacks from his predecessor. As George Bernard Shaw says it succulently, "the best scorn is silence".

Our former premier is not known to be an apologetic person. He has not apologised for all the wrongs or mistakes he had done to this country which he had led for more than two decades. Malaysians must have been perplexed to see him in the mainstream media apologising earlier to the present premier. They must have thought that Dr Mahathir had mellowed and willing to bury the hatchet with Pak Lah. Alas, his subsequent clarification apologising for the factual error in his speech was as good as not apologising at all.

It takes very great and humble men to admit their mistakes in words and action but our country lacks such individuals. Come to think of it, when was the last time we hear our politicians and top guns apologising for their mistakes in 'drying' up our coffers by building white elephants or new buildings and roads which collapse due to shoddy workmanships.

As the saying goes, a leopards never changes its spot and Malaysians will have to live with these self serving politicians and their cohorts who are fond to blame others or the Almighty if things go wrong in this country.

Now, Hard to Say I'm Sorry by Chicago seems to be the mantra of the leaders running this country.

Comments can reach Rentakini by emailing francis@malaysiakini.com. Selected letters will be published.