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

Malaysia needs a story bigger than 'sakau' and Formula 1 (F1), as permafrost political discourse, even in social media, struggles to captivate the nation. While the two may seem unrelated, they raise the same question: what story are we building about Malaysia?

While 'sakau' is a blunt, easy-to-understand language that effectively conveys illicit activities, its constant repetition can dilute its impact. Moreover, when integrity becomes a currency, wields as a political weapon, it loses its significance. Corruption is too serious to be reduced to a slogan, and integrity is too vital to be politicized as an attack.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim deserves credit for turning corruption into a major issue, but more than just repeating the term 'sakau' is needed to convey this message widely. The intensity must continue and be shared throughout the cabinet. However, for a reformist administration to drive change, success needs to be measured beyond language free of corruption. The question shouldn't be 'who is 'sakau'' but 'what has changed in the system to make it increasingly difficult for anyone to be 'sakau'?

Moving from rhetoric to institutional reform, the challenge lies not just in changing individuals but in transforming the system itself. The difference between anti-corruption rhetoric and institutional reform lies in their application - one is directed towards a specific group, the other towards systemic change. The people know corruption is wrong, but they need evidence that the government is building a system that makes it harder to do so. 'Sakau' should not be the main message; closing spaces for corruption should be.

Modern corruption isn't just about cash under the table; it can involve manipulation of procurement, tenders, intermediaries, conflicts of interest, proxies, and networks between economic power and governance. Highlighting 'corporate mafia' shows why corruption must be seen as a systemic issue, not just an individual problem. Arresting and charging perpetrators is important, but breaking the ecosystem that allows them to operate is even more crucial.

The Malaysia Anti-Corruption and Prevention Agency (AKPS) investigation reveals this reality. When procedures are tightened and long-standing interests are disrupted, resistance can emerge. The Chief Executive, Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, once formulated the reality of reform: "To change something, it has a price. Every loophole closed means someone loses out.

Every broken cartel deprives someone of their gains. Therefore, the scale of resolve is not measured by the strength of the 'sakau' language, but by how much the system is willing to shut down loopholes and protect those who close them."

Experience from the Malaysia Anti-Corruption and Prevention Agency (AKPS) highlights this reality. While there are many reformist agendas and initiatives, what's needed is for reform to be visible and measurable. For instance, why not create an easily accessible dashboard on institutional reform? Show which ministries are involved, the targets set, the bureaucracy removed, the procurement processes modernized, the reduced space for discretion, and the protection of whistleblowers.

Then, tell how much progress has been made through media, podcasts, and town hall meetings. Detailing not just who is caught, but what has been fixed is far more convincing than repeating rhetoric that eventually loses impact.

When integrity becomes too politicized - when opponents are vilified but allies question when the same accusations are leveled - the anti-corruption agenda can lose its moral legitimacy as a shared national agenda. Fighting corruption must continue, but intensity needs to walk hand in hand with fairness and consistency. If power is seen only through the lens of a particular group or individual, some will become defensive while others see it as an opportunity to attack or retaliate. Ultimately, we find ourselves trapped in an endless question of who is being pursued but not whom.

Justice must not only be enforced but also seen to be enforced. The fight against corruption can only be a national agenda when the same principles are applied to friends and foes, government and opposition. State-building and nation-building are intertwined - state-building constructs institutions, laws, and protocols that narrow spaces for wrongdoing, while nation-building builds a shared sense of purpose, belief, and future.

Building a house until it gleams is not enough; cleanliness must also create a prosperous nation. Closing loopholes must go hand in hand with creating prosperity. Fighting cartels must go hand in hand with rebuilding education, productivity, technology, and social mobility. But nation-building also requires something subtler - a collective sense of pride and belief that the nation is moving forward.

This is where F1 provides an insightful lesson. F1 is not a measure of a country's progress, but the excitement it creates inspires.