Robert Phang: Nazri’s Statement Unacceptable

KUALA LUMPUR, 4 APRIL, 2011: Former Advisory Panel member of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Tan Sri Robert Phang said that Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz’s statement about the government’s practice of giving handouts to people during election campaigns should not be considered as corruption is unacceptable. “It is totally unacceptable that gratification of that sort can be condoned and justified by a government Minister,” said Phang when contacted by Malaysian Digest.

Phang added that the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department’s statement served only to confuse the public, Phang warned that the Barisan Nasional (BN) politicians will be scorned by the Rakyat if they have blinkered views on issues of public importance.

“Politicians should have the courage to call a spade a spade and not try to pull cotton over the Rakyat’s eyes.“It would be most unfortunate if we cannot be clear as to determining the wrong from the right”, he added.Phang also thinks that Nazri made it worse when he attacked Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) and told them to “shut up” and “mind its own business”.

“Such arrogance against an NGO should not happen as the BN approaches the Sarawak state elections. It only shows the disregard BN politicians have for the Rakyat’s views.”Phang also advised Nazri to emulate the wisdom of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who has repeatedly reminded his public officers not to be arrogant and to be people-oriented.

“Nazri should observe the Government’s Transformation Program (GTP) and transform himself accordingly,” Phang said.Nazri had told the Dewan Rakyat last week the practice of giving handouts during election campaigns cannot be considered as corruption as it is part of BN’s way to woo the people.

His statement was refuted by TI-M chairman Paul Low who insisted that such handouts is considered a bribe.“Any form of enticement for votes, that is an outright form of corruption. What else can it be? Of course it is a bribe,” said Low.

Source :http://www.malaysiandigest.com/news/20293-robert-phang-nazris-statement-unacceptable.html