Antara ‘sakau’ dan F1 – Malaysia perlu cerita lebih besar

Malaysia is grappling with a story far bigger than the pervasive use of the term "sakau" in politics and social media. While Formula 1 (F1) may seem unrelated, both capture the essence of what Malaysia is building as a nation. Though "sakau" is blunt, straightforward and precise in its criticism, excessive repetition can dilute its impact.

Moreover, when integrity becomes a bargaining chip, discussions about who is more "sakau" or less "clean" lose focus. Corruption is too serious to be reduced to a slogan. Equally crucial is the fight against integritY, which must not be used as a political weapon. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim deserves credit for elevating corruption as a major issue, but the message needs to be consistently carried across government ranks.

However, for a reforming administration, success must transcend the power of language alone. It's not just about who is "sakau," but rather what has changed within the system that makes it increasingly difficult for anyone to engage in corruption. From rhetoric to institutional reform, the shift is from "who" to "how." At the start of his administration, the public wanted to see a commitment to fighting corruption.

Now, the focus must be on systemic change. This is where the distinction lies between anti-corruption rhetoric and institutional reform. The public knows corruption is wrong, but what they need is evidence that the government is building a system that makes it harder to do so. Stop using "sakau" as the main message. Instead, focus on closing the space for corruption.

Modern corruption is not just about hidden cash in drawers; it can spread through manipulation of procurement, tender cartels, middlemen, conflicts of interest, proxy companies, and networks between economic power and governance. Documenting what is known as the "corporate mafia" shows why corruption must be seen as a systemic issue, not just an individual.

Arresting and charging perpetrators is important, but dismantling the ecosystems that allow them to operate is far more critical. The Malaysia Anti-Corruption and Anti-Terrorism Agency (AKPS) has shown this reality. When procedures are tightened and old interests are disrupted, resistance can emerge. Former agency head Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain has articulated the essence of reform: "To change something, it has a price.

This is the political economy of corruption." Every closed loophole means someone loses a benefit. Every broken cartel means certain benefits disappear. Thus, the scale of commitment is not just about how loudly we talk about "sakau," but how much the system is willing to shut down loopholes and protect those brave enough to close them.

Transformative reform must be visible and measurable. The government has multiple reform agendas and initiatives, but what is needed is to make reform evident and quantifiable. For example, why not create an easily accessible dashboard on institutional reform? Show which ministries are involved, the targets set, eliminated bureaucracy, streamlined procurement, reduced red tape, and whistleblower protection.

Then narrate the progress through media, podcasts, and town hall meetings. Demonstrate not just who was caught, but what has been fixed. This is far more persuasive than repeating the same rhetoric, which eventually loses its impact. When integrity becomes overly politicized - seemingly acceptable when the opposition is targeted but questioned when allies face similar scrutiny - anti-corruption agendas risk losing their moral legitimacy as a shared national cause.

Fighting corruption must continue, but its emphasis must go hand-in-hand with fairness and consistency. If power is seen only through a narrow or selective lens, some will become defensive while others view it as an opportunity to attack or retaliate. We find ourselves caught in an ongoing debate about what is being pursued, rather than why.

Fighting corruption is a national agenda only when principles are applied equally to allies and opponents, government and opposition. Reform is not just about replacing people in the system. It's about changing the system so that anyone within it has fewer opportunities to abuse it. Build the nation, build trust. State-building and nation-building must go hand in hand.

State-building constructs institutions, laws, and governance structures that curb opportunities for abuse. Nation-building, on the other hand, builds a shared sense of purpose, belief, and future. Cleaning a house until it shines is one thing, but ensuring cleanliness means much more than that. Similarly, a nation can be cleaned until it gleams, but mere cleanliness does not make it a prosperous nation.

Closing loopholes must go hand in hand with creating prosperity. Fighting cartels must run in tandem with improving education, productivity, technology, and social mobility. However, nation-building also requires something subtler - a collective sense of pride and belief that the nation is moving forward. This is where Formula 1 provides a compelling lesson.

While F1 is not a measure of a country's progress, the excitement it creates illustrates the power of collective focus. The sport may not define a nation's advancement, but the enthusiasm it generates demonstrates the impact of a shared vision.