Baru welcomes Sultan Nazrin’s statement on corruption
KUCHING: State PKR chairman Baru Bian welcomes the statement by the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah in expressing his concern about the high incidences of corruption and criminal breach of trust by those in power in this country.
Baru, who is Ba Kelalan assemblyman, said he was glad that Sultan Nazrin had said what many of those in the opposition and civil society had been saying for so long.
“The shameless actions of the corrupt high public officials have brought Malaysia into disrepute and international investors are losing confidence in our government. Our financial problems are worsening to such an extent that the Prime Minister ( Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) has had to turn to China for help at high cost to the country.
“The ordinary people are faced with rising costs of living and reduction of their purchasing power while high public officials indulge in luxurious lifestyles, having lost touch with the common people years ago.
“When the Prime Minister’s way of connecting with the poor is to advise them to become Uber drivers and his wife’s way of empathising with the housewife is to confide that her personal hairdresser’s charges have gone up to RM1,500 per visit, you know they or so out of touch they might as well be living on Mars,” Baru said in a press statement yesterday.
In the meant ime, he said whistleblowers were prosecuted for raising issues of corruption and financial impropriety and MPs were gagged in debating such matters in Parliament.
Additionally, Baru said civil society leaders were arrested for raising concerns about corrupt politicians and were treated like criminals and terrorists while the powerful cling on to power by playing on people’s fears and on race and religion.
“It is therefore only right that Sultan Nazrin should express what is felt by everyone in Malaysia. The other Sultans and Heads of States should do the same, if not the Conference of Rulers, as they are the protectors of the people.
“They must not continue to keep silent while their people are suffering. Their voices are needed because the corruption is so blatant and extensive now that the country’s financial standing is adversely affected and the ordinary people just feel resentful and helpless.”
Baru pointed out that this was no longer just a political matter, adding that the actions of the corrupt public officials were a betrayal of the country and a crime against every Malaysian.
“The Rulers have every right to be part of this ‘awakening’ and indeed, every single Ruler should make public their stand against corrupt and self-serving public officials.”
He said Sultan Nazrin was absolutely correct that in the end, all corrupt governments fall.
“The question is whether Malaysians will have to witness the total collapse of our economy and social fabric before that happens. I pray not.”