Haven for corrupters - Seremban.

From NST Editorial column:
THE two Negri Sembilan Road Transport Department officers and three others currently the focus of a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigation into their "donation drive" activities obviously believe in the maxim "ask, and ye shall receive". If the allegations against them are true, nothing in their experience these past six months could contradict that belief. From June until October, the five were alleged to have solicited a whopping RM660,000 from individuals and companies, ostensibly to fund a state RTD social function. And if the idea of such an extravagant government department event were not shocking enough, the more amazing thing is that the function does not even exist. It was an outright scam to take money from gullible private citizens and put it straight into their own pockets. Their activities were first discovered in August, and they were told to desist. Undeterred, they blithely continued. The second time they were discovered, a police report was made, and hence the MACC investigation.
Their scam had succeeded up to this point because few seem to think it strange for a government department to solicit funds from the public. Theoretically, government departments and civil servants are forbidden from soliciting donations, and any such attempt is deemed a disciplinary infringement. Any department that needs funds for social, welfare or sports activities are required to apply for funds from the Government Services Welfare and Sports Council (Maksak). So, for anyone who knows the rules, the collection of these donations should have thrown up a red flag immediately. That it did not, or that insufficient action was taken, should be a great cause for concern.

Even if there was an actual event for which the donations were needed, collecting money from the public would still be unacceptable. Government departments and agencies are fully funded by the government to serve the public without fear or favour. Soliciting personal favours only puts the agency in a position of obligation, and, by extension, of potential corruption. This country and its government has pledged a war against corruption and must follow through with it by coming down hard and clear on any government department, agency or officer who would derail this effort. The government must be firm and consistent with its message, and the MACC must not be weak-handed if the rules are breached. If rule-breakers know that they can commit acts of gross indiscipline with impunity, there will be nothing to stop more of such incidents from happening. No more should be asked, and no more should be received.

Lately, if one's touch base of corruption, abuse of power and happening in Negeri Sembilan, one's just wonder what is going on down here. One after another reports of misdoing and malpractices amongst civil servant on the rise. I wonder why... these are happening in such a small state,situated so close to the nation capital, but having a lots of surprises that at time sent chill down your spine.... Seremban which suppose to be a tranquil and sort of a lay-back township which never ever be a city is now haven for all type of criminal undertaking...MACC or SPRM, state government and those concern..do something before Seremban turns into another new Jinjang.