Watching while they burn the house down

Well, Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission secretary-general Dussadee Arayawuth could be transferred because he’s investigating corruption involving politicians. He suspects people involved in ongoing cases have lobbied to have him moved when the ministry’s reshuffle list goes before the Cabinet for approval yesterday, stopping him from further investigating the alleged importation of contraband luxury cars with the complicity of politicians and state officials.

Our beloved country is rife with corruption. Graft-busters including Dussadee are fighting to save our house from this all-consuming fire. You and I, dear reader, have come to selfishly tolerate corruption, saying it’s okay to burn our house down as long as you leave my room intact. Yet, ordinary people elsewhere, such as in Hong Kong and Singapore, have been courageous enough to utterly reject the kind of corruption we swallow so readily. Unlike here, voters demand that their public servants and businesses be clean – and that’s what they get.

Dear reader, if you want our house to withstand this raging fire, you have to be willing to help the firefighters, not sit on your hands – starting with supporting Dussadee and other graft-busters, by voicing your opinion to the media and community radio.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok