I refer to Lim Guan Eng's 'Political corruption and corporate cronyism' (Dec 6). Why blame our top politicians who are often educated and highly sophisticated when we the people, except for the very few exemplified by Guan Eng, actually conduce in such state of affairs?

Politicians need votes and support and if the voters and the people demand integrity so the politicians will have to demonstrate it to get voted in and remain in that coveted position.

Instead, many of us would give political support in exchange for patronage, for examples:

  • Allocation of public quoted shares;
  • Special licences for business;
  • Awarding of government contracts;
  • Appointment to directorships in banks and public listed companies; and
  • Getting out of trouble with authorities.

    Corruption arising from the desire to secure pecuniary advantage over and at the expense of others especially the nebulous and faceless public to whom one owes no personal allegiance and loyalty is a very natural, if unworthy instinct, universally.

    Education and institutions are supposed to stem it, and even then these are not that effective because corruption can be institutionalised and euphemistically described, as in the US, as lawful lobbying and not corruption. The essence is that it is still influence buying to secure power and pecuniary advantage.

    Lacking such institutions, we do the same corrupt practices but in the raw and not so sophisticated form - like giving money outright to politicians for them to in turn spend some on themselves and the rest on other people who in exchange will garner and deliver them the requisite votes. As a prelude and to break the ice, we also provide women first.

    Cronyism? Who would do anything with anyone who is not a crony? When we join a new company, we bring in our team of cronies to help us in the assignment. When we are in the position to dispense business to others, the fact that others are our cronies will be a plus factor because they will in exchange for what we give them, give something back to us so that there is a semblance of gratitude and reciprocity. Why should we benefit those who do not and cannot benefit us?

    Similarly when we are in political power we award and contracts to our cronies whom we think we know better as regards capability but if we were wrong, at least we are assured that they will give us something back in return.

    There is simply no free ride. Favours given must be rewarded by favours returned and what better way to facilitate this than with our cronies rather than strangers?

    And how can cronies co-operate for mutual advantage under the glare of public transparency?

    So we must not be transparent ourselves but to demand it of others!

    Likewise, people complain about cronyism because they are not included in the privileged group as cronies. They keep quiet the moment they are.

    The point of all the above is to say that whilst it is convenient to blame politicians for corruption and cronyism the fact is that we as a people are equally immersed in these cultural values and practices and we give in support when our impulses in these areas are stroked and gratified.

    Indeed the old adage is true that the people always get the government they deserve. If we want integrity from politicians, we have to change our cultural values first.