A FEW months ago, The Star reported that several Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) enforcement officers solicited bribes from traders at the Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park in the Federal capital.

The officers allegedly took advantage of licensing policy violations to line their own pockets. Similar allegations have been around for quite some time.

There are claims from the people that enforcement officers and those higher up in the office accept bribes from foreign nationals such as Bangladeshi and Indonesians to run their businesses ‘protected’ without ‘disturbance.’

It is impossible to ignore the widespread corruption and abuse of power throughout the city, particularly in areas like Bukit Bintang.

In addition, foreigners exploit the system by utilising local documents to operate enterprises that primarily serve their communities and do not benefit Malaysians. These people pay no taxes, hence further harming the country’s economy.

All this money is leaving the country, depriving the nation of the resources it requires for growth and development. Locals discovered to have provided their documents to these foreigners should be held accountable for their actions. KL residents have had enough of this flagrant abuse.

Swift reform needed

Where are the responsible parties? Shouldn’t the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who also functions as the Federal Minister be accountable for this mess?

KL mayor, Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah, has promised that if wrongdoing is discovered, measures will be taken. But are these just words to calm the public or will there be real-life repercussions for those responsible?

To prove his commitment to protecting integrity and justice as mayor, Mahadi must accept responsibility for these corruption issues.

The growing skepticism towards the government is palpable. The Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) administration must confront these issues with immediate effect. How can citizens have faith in a government that appears to allow such blatant corruption to occur right under its nose? The PM cannot simply sit back and watch this scourge fester.

It is not merely a matter of one or two isolated incidents; it involves the very fabric of our society. Corruption erodes integrity without which makes it impossible to construct a prosperous and harmonious nation. PM Anwar must demonstrate his commitment to eradicating this disease from the city and society.

Moreover, why haven’t significant reforms been made to ensure that corruption cases are thoroughly investigated and resolved on time? Are measures in place to address the lack of oversight and accountability that has allowed these cases to go cold?

DBKL needs to re-build trust in its governance and ensure that all residents may have faith in its honest and open operations. If the incumbent leadership cannot achieve this, it may be time to make a change. This cancerous tumour afflicting society must be confronted and eradicated by new, devoted leaders.

KL residents have had enough of being promised nothing but disappointment. They want those in power to take immediate, decisive action to halt the abuse and corruption that has plagued the city for far too long.

The people need to see results immediately; they will not be relieved by empty rhetoric. They want concrete outcomes and an earnest promise to build a future free of corruption. - April 10, 2023

Mahathir Mohd Rais is the Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) information chief for gthe Federal Territories.

https://focusmalaysia.my/dbkl-and-bribery-an-open-secret-among-kl-business-folks/