"Corruption - defined as 'the abuse of public power for personal ends' - has always existed. During recent decades, however, it has grown both in terms of geographic extent and intensity. Since the mid 1970s, it has infiltrated virtually every country in the world." - Euforic.org
A recent survey (I forgot the source) noted that many youngsters in Malaysia were willing to take and give bribes.
Initially the term “corruption” was a taboo subject in international development circles. This was broken when James D. Wolfensohn, former president of the World Bank (1995-2005) gave his groundbreaking "cancer of corruption" speech to the World Bank/IMF annual meeting in 1996. He cited corruption as a major burden for the poor in developing countries. - World Bank
I hate corruption in any form. It is unethical, haram, disgusting, (you can add more here...).
Why do I think so? Well, corruption:
1. Increases the cost of doing business
2. Puts more pressure on poor people
4. Deters foreign investment
5. Delays/ distorts justice
6. Inefficient, ineffective, unsuitable people are chosen over others more deserving.
I am sure you all can come up with more...
Look at the following cases and decide whether these are forms of corruption:
(Imagine that you are the customer/ decision maker)
1. Company representative offers you a RM10,000 cut if your organisation decides to buy the computers from them.
2. Company representative offers you a laptop/ latest mobile phone/ palm top if your organisation decides to buy the computers from them.
3. Company representative requests you to join them for some drinks at this great Karaoke club (GROs to give you company. Hint! Hint!) during the evening.
4. Company sends you a gift hamper during Hari Raya/ Chinese new year/ Diwali.
On the other hand, you did not take any money/gifts during the selection process and selected the candidates purely out of merit.
To show their gratitude, the lucky successful candidates arrive at your home / office bearing gifts. Is it OK to accept the gifts?
BTW, I am really sad to learn that Malaysia’s World ranking in competitiveness and efficiency fell from 16th to the 28th place last year, based on the report by the World Competitiveness Center, International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Lausanne, Switzerland.