LETTERS: The prime minister has called for strong family values to prevent corruption and misappropriation of funds.
The family is the foundational unit of a nation. Everyone comes from a family, and the moral, ethical and religious values instilled by families produce good individuals.
However, if families do not have strong moral and religious values, individuals will turn to criminal and evil ways of enriching themselves.
Today, the country is facing a debt of more than RM1 trillion. Billions have been siphoned off by ministers, department heads and top civil servants.
Multi-million-ringgit tenders, contracts and projects have been approved through under-the-table deals. People keep silent because they get a cut.
What drives people holding well-paying jobs and reputable positions to accept bribes?
In some cases, families are responsible for encouraging graft.
A few years ago, an Indonesian news report had this headline: "Corruption: Minister blames 'materialistic' wife".
The then Indonesian religious affairs minister blamed materialistic and demanding wives for "pushing" their husbands to engage in corruption.
Though the minister drew much flak for his remark, there is a lot of truth in his statement.
In some cases, wives know of their husband's shoddy dealings but remain silent and become accomplices to the crime.
There has never been a case where a family member dragged a corrupt person to court.
Wives should inform the authorities if their husband is involved in corruption.
Temptation, greed and the misguided notion that money brings happiness have turned many to corruption.
They dream of lavish lifestyles, overseas holidays and fat bank balances.
They can splurge on luxury cars and motorcycles, condominiums, mansions and branded goods.
They can pay for their children to study in foreign universities, while their wives go on shopping sprees.
Families of corrupt officials, especially their spouses, know of the dealings but remain silent.
Weak families with poor values are responsible for people taking bribes.
The 1999 Tamil film Mudhalvan mooted a revolutionary idea to combat government corruption.
In the film, the family members of corrupt officials are punished because they are accomplices to the crimes.
Though the corrupt officials are sent to prison, the wives and their children are ostracised and their citizenship privileges revoked.
It sent shivers down the spine of viewers but the film portrayed that corrupt practices are family-related crimes.
SAMUEL YESUIAH
Seremban
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
