Corruption fighting is a complex task
Wednesday, 10 October 2007
Mujibul Haque
The high profile activities of the present caretaker government against corruption has earned wide attention and appreciation. But it is also asked whether the on-going drive and the application of laws and courts against the corrupt ones would prove to be enough to reduce corrupt activities on a lasting basis. This is because corruption elimination is not only a matter of numbers -- how many are caught for corruption and subjected to the legal process. Even under the present declaration of emergency and the declared zero tolerance of graft reports about corruption being indulged in by public officials have been appearing in the newspapers and receiving the media's attention. This goes to show that even risking detection and punishment under the present tough conditions, the temptation to indulge in corruption remains too deep-seated to be discouraged in some cases.
Thus, corruption fighting involves essentially not only corrupt activities and punishing the ones involved, but also relate more significantly to have it imprinted in hearts and minds of people in all walks of life that corruption is evil and immoral and ought to be not practiced but resisted. A moral rebirth of the nation is necessary. Tough and uncompromising law enforcement measures are indispensable against corruption. But it is only one way among other to get best results against corruption. The war against corruption also will have to waged psychologically. The hearts and minds of people will have to be filled with a new awareness. Values that one should serve selflessly and honestly, that these are values best for the individual, the family and the community, the same appear to have ebbed a great deal in the Bangladesh context. But such values will need a careful regeneration. Doing of that will involve educating the young ones in academic institutions with moral studies. Character built in humans when they are children or teenagers, usually have a life-long effect. Over the years, the compulsory moral education in our school system, has declined or slackened. So, the same must be revived fully and sustained over the long haul.
The government should embark on a regular information campaign against corruption and utilise the mass media for the purpose. Publicities can be run in the media -- unfailingly and regularly -- to impress on the audience how corruption is a very negative phenomenon for everybody from the doers of corruption to the victims, how the community, the economy and governance of the country, all stand to suffer from allowing corruption to prevail.
Also practical steps will have to be taken to create conditions for people to remain honest. Government employees in many cases are forced to become corrupt because they find the costs of living far outstripping their government-paid salaries and wages. So, they take bribes to compensate as their official income trail well behind the market prices of essentials or the fast rising costs of living in other areas. Thus, paying employees well to reduce their temptation for corruption can be as important as a new law against corruption or establishing special courts to try the accused.
Even the systems in many areas create the opportunities for corruption. For example, the culture of getting approval from too many desks in government offices helps red-tapes and the giving of 'speed money' under the table to hasten file movement. In this area, only simplifying procedures and bureaucracy can probably lead to much reduction of corruption. And there are many other areas where administrative reforms can be of significant value against corruption.
Thus, the moves against corruption will have to be comprehensive ones. Reliance on law and the court system can be only a partial one in response to the problem of corruption. The battle against corruption calls for waging it in different fronts and successfully.
The high profile activities of the present caretaker government against corruption has earned wide attention and appreciation. But it is also asked whether the on-going drive and the application of laws and courts against the corrupt ones would prove to be enough to reduce corrupt activities on a lasting basis. This is because corruption elimination is not only a matter of numbers -- how many are caught for corruption and subjected to the legal process. Even under the present declaration of emergency and the declared zero tolerance of graft reports about corruption being indulged in by public officials have been appearing in the newspapers and receiving the media's attention. This goes to show that even risking detection and punishment under the present tough conditions, the temptation to indulge in corruption remains too deep-seated to be discouraged in some cases.
Thus, corruption fighting involves essentially not only corrupt activities and punishing the ones involved, but also relate more significantly to have it imprinted in hearts and minds of people in all walks of life that corruption is evil and immoral and ought to be not practiced but resisted. A moral rebirth of the nation is necessary. Tough and uncompromising law enforcement measures are indispensable against corruption. But it is only one way among other to get best results against corruption. The war against corruption also will have to waged psychologically. The hearts and minds of people will have to be filled with a new awareness. Values that one should serve selflessly and honestly, that these are values best for the individual, the family and the community, the same appear to have ebbed a great deal in the Bangladesh context. But such values will need a careful regeneration. Doing of that will involve educating the young ones in academic institutions with moral studies. Character built in humans when they are children or teenagers, usually have a life-long effect. Over the years, the compulsory moral education in our school system, has declined or slackened. So, the same must be revived fully and sustained over the long haul.
The government should embark on a regular information campaign against corruption and utilise the mass media for the purpose. Publicities can be run in the media -- unfailingly and regularly -- to impress on the audience how corruption is a very negative phenomenon for everybody from the doers of corruption to the victims, how the community, the economy and governance of the country, all stand to suffer from allowing corruption to prevail.
Also practical steps will have to be taken to create conditions for people to remain honest. Government employees in many cases are forced to become corrupt because they find the costs of living far outstripping their government-paid salaries and wages. So, they take bribes to compensate as their official income trail well behind the market prices of essentials or the fast rising costs of living in other areas. Thus, paying employees well to reduce their temptation for corruption can be as important as a new law against corruption or establishing special courts to try the accused.
Even the systems in many areas create the opportunities for corruption. For example, the culture of getting approval from too many desks in government offices helps red-tapes and the giving of 'speed money' under the table to hasten file movement. In this area, only simplifying procedures and bureaucracy can probably lead to much reduction of corruption. And there are many other areas where administrative reforms can be of significant value against corruption.
Thus, the moves against corruption will have to be comprehensive ones. Reliance on law and the court system can be only a partial one in response to the problem of corruption. The battle against corruption calls for waging it in different fronts and successfully.