Emporium Blog

I would say very corrupted. ACA (Anti Corruption Agency) receives 10,000 tip-offs this year according to “The Star”, the leading government controlled newspaper in Malaysia. That is one very conservative estimation, considering the restrictions placed on reporting this kind of embarrassing issues.

So what exactly makes them or us this corrupted? “Tak Cukup Makan” (not enough to eat) is the answer that comes from most of those I asked and they are being frank. High inflation that follows the recent crazy 41% fuel hike has irked all but the most corrupted ones.

Right now almost everyone is trying to find ways to earn more, in order to live their previous living standard. Cutting cost is not an option anymore. Everything is on the rise, including basic necessities such as water and electricity tariff. The chain of reaction is somewhat devastating to the economy, with traders trying to earn more by rising prices and consumers trying to spend less to save. It is a lose-lose situation where traders will sell less and consumers will buy less.

Looking at things, I would be corrupted too if given the chance. Shitty!

The block of apartment I am currently living in is twenty seven floors high. It has three lifts serving eight units of household on every floor. There are two normal sized ones and one larger Bomba Lift (Fire Fighter Lift).

The middle larger Bomba Lift is not working since six years ago. It has been scavenged for spare parts to repair and maintain the other two lifts (note the door, missing buttons and floor indicators in the picture). The Evil Developer does not seem to want it to be operational again. The lifts do not even have certificate of fitness issued by the Fire Department. It is illegal but the authority is not taking any action.

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A friend emailed me the below cartoon caricature that makes a mockery out of the police force. All police personnel in Malaysia are required to wear the infamous “Saya Anti Rasuah” (I’m Anti Corruption) badge as a step to curb corruption in the country.

The rightmost one has an extra letter “N” and renders the meaning entirely opposite than intended. It became “Saya Nanti Rasuah” (Bribe Me Later).

Corruption is a problem in Malaysia, the prime minister himself acknowledged it. Corruption is rampant because almost anyone can do it and get away with it.

Sometimes bribing your way through is the easiest way, especially when government matters are concerned. No, I am not promoting it or implying I did it. I am just telling the truth, it’s an open secret, ask anyone.