ID :
21409
Fri, 09/26/2008 - 11:46
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/21409
The shortlink copeid
MEDIA, AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO FIGHT CORRUPTION
KUCHING (Malaysia), Sept 26 (Bernama) -- The country's mainstream media can be an effective tool to fight corruption although that is not its business to expose corrupt practices on its own accord, said Bernama TV advisor Azman Ujang.
Azman, who was previously general manager of Bernama, said the fact that
Malaysia was never ranked highly in Transparency International's Corruption
Index reflected it was a serious problem needing much effort to combat.
"But to do so (for the media to expose corrupt practice on its own accord)
would be to tread on dangerous grounds as those who stand accused can fight
back, especially if there's not enough or strong evidence against those alleged
to be corrupt," he said in an interview, "Five Minutes With Azman Ujang," which
was published in the latest issue of the Randau BPR Sarawak.
Azman, the first recipient of the Tokoh Kewartawanan Sarawak, was asked if
he agreed that the mainstream media was not doing enough to combat
corruption.
"I wouldn't say corruption is very rampant in the absence of concrete
proof," he said, adding that it was easy to accuse or allege someone to be
corrupt but the accusers must also provide the proof for action to be
taken.
On whether he agreed that corruption had never been tolerated in Malaysia,
Azman said the crux of the matter was that there was nothing for the authorities
to act upon, if those allegedly involved in certain deals were consenting
parties.
"If one side is happy and doesn't complain, corruption has taken place but
since no report was lodged, under normal circumstance, they get away with it,"
he said.
Somehow, he said, those charged with combating corruption should find new
and smarter ways to beat it so as to curb "this very dangerous disease" from
undermining the country in a big way in future.
"We want Malaysia to be known as a country where corruption is not
tolerated but then again, in a situation where the givers have no qualms about
greasing the palms of the taker, it is easier said than done to really educate
people to regard corruption as a grave crime that it is," he said.
When he travelled abroad, he said, it was only once in a while that people
whom he met, had critical news about the state of corruption in the country.
Kuching is the capital of the East Malaysian state of Sarawak
-- BERNAMA
Azman, who was previously general manager of Bernama, said the fact that
Malaysia was never ranked highly in Transparency International's Corruption
Index reflected it was a serious problem needing much effort to combat.
"But to do so (for the media to expose corrupt practice on its own accord)
would be to tread on dangerous grounds as those who stand accused can fight
back, especially if there's not enough or strong evidence against those alleged
to be corrupt," he said in an interview, "Five Minutes With Azman Ujang," which
was published in the latest issue of the Randau BPR Sarawak.
Azman, the first recipient of the Tokoh Kewartawanan Sarawak, was asked if
he agreed that the mainstream media was not doing enough to combat
corruption.
"I wouldn't say corruption is very rampant in the absence of concrete
proof," he said, adding that it was easy to accuse or allege someone to be
corrupt but the accusers must also provide the proof for action to be
taken.
On whether he agreed that corruption had never been tolerated in Malaysia,
Azman said the crux of the matter was that there was nothing for the authorities
to act upon, if those allegedly involved in certain deals were consenting
parties.
"If one side is happy and doesn't complain, corruption has taken place but
since no report was lodged, under normal circumstance, they get away with it,"
he said.
Somehow, he said, those charged with combating corruption should find new
and smarter ways to beat it so as to curb "this very dangerous disease" from
undermining the country in a big way in future.
"We want Malaysia to be known as a country where corruption is not
tolerated but then again, in a situation where the givers have no qualms about
greasing the palms of the taker, it is easier said than done to really educate
people to regard corruption as a grave crime that it is," he said.
When he travelled abroad, he said, it was only once in a while that people
whom he met, had critical news about the state of corruption in the country.
Kuching is the capital of the East Malaysian state of Sarawak
-- BERNAMA
