KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's government and its population are hopeful that recent events to curtail corruption in the Southeast Asian country are part of a larger crackdown that will see what activists call "a cleaner state of affairs." The hope comes after former Selangor state chief minister, Mohamed Khir Toyo, was one of the most senior government officials to be convicted for corruption in recent years. Khir Toyo protested his innocence and accused Prime Minister Najib Razak of trying to make an example out of him to show the Malaysian public he is serious about ending high-level graft, a promise made ahead of recent general elections. Corruption was a major issue during campaigning for the vote, which saw the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) return to power with a substantially reduced majority – the worst-ever showing in its 56-year rule. While some Malaysians told Bikyanews.com that they are not yet convinced that the government's promises to crackdown on corruption are serious following their election victory, arguing that the BN used graft as a means of earning votes. Najib promised more specialist graft courts and greater public disclosure of government contracts if the National Front is allowed to extend its 55 years of unbroken rule, according to a manifesto he said at a pre-election rally. Among the pledges are improved health care and transportation, including a high-speed rail link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. "My sincere apologies to all Malaysians if we have done anything wrong," the prime minister said in speech last night, broadcast live on national television. "At the end of the day, we are ordinary humans. If we are given a strong mandate, I can assure you that we will do better in the next five years." But what that crackdown will look like remains to be seen, with the government yet to implement any serious new legislation or direction following last month's victory. BN
