Survey: Yes, We Want Bribes

Survey: Yes to Bribe

Hundreds of thousands of Malaysian school leavers are willing to accept bribes if they have the power and the opportunity to do so.

According to a 2002 survey of the public’s perception of corruption by the Malaysian Integrity Institute (IIM), 30% of the students sampled said they would take bribes.

This shocking discovery was presented by IIM president Datuk Dr Sulaiman Mahbob at a briefing to the country’s top leaders and civil servants on Wednesday.

“It is a sub-sample. But we are concerned,” he said when contacted yesterday.

“They are post-Form Five students and represent a small percentage of the sample. It is not widespread. It’s just 2.4% of the population,” he said, downplaying the findings.

However, 2.4% of the country’s 26.1 million population represents an eye-popping 625,400 young people, many of whom have entered or will enter the country’s workforce.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, ministers, deputy ministers, government officials and representatives from other sectors were at Wednesday’s closed-door briefing.

HONEST COMMENTS:

Well, at least those interviewed by IIM were honest Malaysians - they speak with pure honesty.

IIM president Datuk Dr Sulaiman Mahbob said this survey is only a sub-sample.

I believe if a larger survey is made and if those interviewed are as honest as these group, the percentage should in fact indicate affirmativeness, and the percentage may possibly DOUBLE or TRIPLE.

Is there anything wrong with this post-form 5 students answer? NO! Absolutely not. Even if you asked those in their 30s and 40s, and include politicians and members of political parties and civl service, you will get the same result if they are prepared to be honest with their answer.

I have often put up case studies with this hypothesis at universities to post-graduates, and the answer is the same - because these people are prepared to give honest answers.

Unless we want to go into a denial syndrome!

Ask any businessmen, any employees and almost 100% will agree that as Malaysians, "Kau Tim" is our culture and if you see traffic police on highways and along roads, you know why - Cari Makan lah! If you submit any applications to the authorities, you will get no reply, or if there is reply, it would be about seeking more information or rejections. But if you "Kau-Tim", the approval is only days. Oh, don't say like that lah..... but what? What can I say otherwise????

In Malaysia, we are unique and equal when come to Kau-Tim, because your skin color and race is irrelevant - be ye Bumiputra or non-bumiputra. Everyone is equal and everyone has to Kau-Tim - Malay, Chinese, Indian, Sikh, Mat-Salleh, Mamak .... oh, particularly Mamak Restaurant because they want to put their tables and chairs on the street and walkways; ask Kudus.

It's ingrained in our culture and tradition. It is considered goodwill by those who receive, and a necessity by those who give; it motivates positive actions and reactions.

And if you are members of MIC, MCA, and in particular UMNO, then you can see everyone is fighting to be selected to be a national delegate to the general assembly to vote - UMNO calls it money-politics. MCA and MIC does not call it money politics; they termed it as expenses for the general assembly.

Pak Lah may not want to hear this; but I'm sorry as we Malaysians knows the absolute truth - just asked anyone on the street, school, and employees...... A truth is a truth, like it or not.

Please conduct a survey with childrens between 10 to 15 years-old, you may also get the same answer; unless you asked them to deny it so that the survey will help reflect our clean image.

Someone asked me how to eradicate corruption. My answer: Legalise it and call it political contribution.