A MONTH after the May 9 elections, we must ask ourselves: Did we vote the right people?
We keep exhorting all in a crusade for change, forgetting that change must begin with our choice of leaders, that good example is the most powerful agent of change.
Yes, the first step is in choosing among us those who can lead by the power of good and selfless example, with unwavering determination to reform government, discard the politics of compromise and unseemly transaction, and instead enshrine service beyond ourselves at the cornerstone of democratic governance.
Let’s tell it like it is: corruption sucks the lifeblood of our economy and distorts the principle of equal opportunity – from kotong paid by lowly workers to policemen and traffic aides, to outright bribes given to generals and prosecutors, judges and justices, to commissions and kickbacks given to government officials for huge contracts.
Little wonder that our infrastructure is substandard; the tong-pats corrupt the quality of materials and design. Worse, ghost projects and ghost deliveries have spooked almost every government agency.
Public service on the part of those elected to serve has become a sick joke for those at the receiving end of service most selfish and governance most bad. In its stead we have corruption most gross – worse with each passing leadership. For public servants elected or appointed, it has become a way of life, but for an exceptional few. The higher the position, the bigger the cost of corruption while those in lower positions justify their own take because their superiors have become immoderately greedy.
We keep asking ourselves – what must be done? We keep thinking of new laws and new rules, new systems even, in our desire to fight corruption. We keep thinking of new ways to entice investments, to make our economy produce more and create more jobs for an ever-increasing population.
This is worth repeating: The first step is choosing those who can lead by the power of good and selfless example, with unwavering determination to reform government, discard the politics of compromise and unseemly transaction, and instead enshrine service beyond the self.
And so let us ask ourselves again: Did we vote the right people to government offices?
