Last Thursday, Sarawak became the first state in the nation where its ministers and assistant ministers signed the integrity pledge.
It was a bold step initiated by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem in fulfilling his pledge to fight corruption.
The reaction to that historic event ranged from hopeful anticipation, skepticism and derision from the people.
Nobody is naïve enough to think that with the signing of the integrity pledge corruption, nepotism and cronyism would disappear overnight but the pledge should be viewed as a statement of intent to work towards wiping out a scourge that had been a serious obstacle in the development of the state and nation.
By leading his cabinet in signing the pledge, Adenan has put paid to the perception only the ‘small fish’ is under the surveillance of the anti corruption authority.
The people who signed the pledge have put themselves under scrutiny of not only the enforcement agencies but also of the public.
Those who welcomed the signing of the pledge found comfort in knowing that leaders of the ruling coalition have publicly committed themselves not to take advantage of their positions.
However, for the skeptics the whole exercise was quixotic quest to slay the monster of corruption.
While they welcome the signing of the pledge they doubted if it would amount to anything other than a sincere but futile attempt to stamp out corruption.
Adenan himself was aware that there would be people shrugging it off as an exercise in futility when he told a press conference after the signing ceremony, “We will see what happens after this. Don’t prejudge us. It is a first step.”
Indeed it is a first step and the chief minister deserves all the support from all the people regardless of their political affiliation for being brave enough to grab the ‘bull of corruption’ by its horns – it is going to be a tough fight.
Then there are cynics – those who viewed the integrity pledge as fodder to run down the government.
Not surprisingly most of these people are on the ‘other’ side of the political divide.
To them the signing of the pledge was political gimmick and part of a campaign to win votes for the state Barisan Nasional in the next state election.
Some mocked the exercise as a ‘camouflage’ to commit more corruption saying it was just a ‘sandiwara’ – a stage play to fool the people and the authorities.
These are the people who believed that any action taken by the government has an ulterior motive.
However, the track record of Adenan since he took office should at least deserve a benefit of doubt from these cynics.
He has proven that he is walking the talk to the point that even the opposition had on several occasions supported some of the measures he implemented.
Instead of dismissing the integrity pledge as a political ploy the critics should at least give the chief minister a chance to prove that his actions are sincere and workable – the jury is still out, perhaps the integrity pledge might just work.