Corruption
..Of values
In modern world, graft is not just about bribes or kickbacks, but something more, by Kelvin Ng. Sg_Review
Aug 21, 2007

Now that most of the dust from the NKF debacle has settled, most think it is time to forget the whole episode. I think not.

The issue at the heart of the whole matter has scarcely been dealt with, and now with our fast-paced mindset, we are thinking of putting it behind us.

The case has been dealt with legally, but the heart of the matter has little to do with law, but with what is right.

The former is the letter of the law but the latter is the spirit of the law. The heart of the matter has to do with values.

Values drive behaviour, and behavior can be judged legally, but the source and crux of the trouble is not behavior but values.

Therefore, I propose a mindset change in the way we perceive corruption. Corruption is now being rigidly defined as a matter of bribes and misuse of public funds.

However, the fact that we were outraged by the NFK has little to do with the legalities of corruption but with the corruption of values in an institution using public funds.

If we don't call this perversion of values corruption we can call it decadence, and it is no less reprehensible, and all institutions of public character must be under scrutiny for it.

It is an affront to common human decency for public institutions to subvert their values, such that they become bureaucratic self-serving places of decadence.

We need an active vigilant citizenry not afraid to speak up, a mass media not afraid to publish wrong-doing and a government that does care and listen and which investigates all credible reports and not sweep things under the carpet when it is convenient.

We have a long way to go on all three aspects.
Kelvin Ng