We have been witness to the Anti-Corruption Commission dealing with corruption with an iron hand. Corruption and bribery are problems besieging not just Myanmar, but the rest of the world.
Corruption cannot be considered as just breaking the law. We all must realize that corruption can strike a severe blow to the development of the country and the livelihood of the people.
Now is the time to give serious attention to how the consequences of corruption can affect the people. It is obvious that dealing with the problem of immigration officers granting white cards to non-citizens in exchange for bribes is proving to be complicated, both in the country and in the international arena. Besides, similar cases are still happening in the country.
There have been cases of malpractices in the judiciary sector involving bribery. Cases of officials taking the law into their own hands have damaged the image of the judiciary, one of the four pillars of a democracy, and eroded the confidence of the people. They have also affected the rule of law in the country by and large.
Taking bribes for granting driving licenses can lead to deaths. We must think about how our country has suffered so far from the consequences of such actions.
Granting licences for food production without inspections and turning a blind eye to the trade of fake medicines for a bribe can cause heavy damages to the country and the people.
We must not forget that our country has suffered losses from illegal smuggling of our natural resources to neighbouring countries.
Drugs which entered our country after officials were bribed have caused a serious public health problem and have affected almost every community and family in some way.
Buildings which do not meet the set standard and should not have been allowed to be constructed pose a threat to the safety of the people and the future of towns.
These are just some examples.
Corruption cases reflect that graft has been deeply rooted for decades in many areas. That is why it is necessary to create a culture of zero tolerance when it comes to corruption.
It is also important to take action against corrupt people. Only if the public collaborates with government to fight corruption can the standard of living rise, poverty be eradicated, and the economy move towards development. Strict laws, their enforcement without fear or favour, tough punishments from courts, and an effective administration are pivotal to achieve this goal.
We all have a common duty to unite and join hands with the government to fight against the scourge of corruption. A fall in corruption levels goes hand in hand with development.-GNLM
