Google for financial scandals and you will invariably find Malaysia a table-topper. No thanks to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal that put Malaysia on the world map of infamy.
How not to grab global notoriety when the lead role was played by none other than a former prime minister? When the story first broke in the United States and Britain, Malaysians began to feel like they were watching a Hollywood movie. Missing billions were moving in and out of banks in Switzerland, Singapore and the United States, some of which were used to bankroll the purchase of property in Beverly Hills, a private jet, a yacht, a Picasso painting and some other pretty penny stuff.
There were plot-thickening things, too, like the sacking of a deputy prime minister and the attorney-general. Just when we thought the movie had ended, another one has resurfaced.
This mini-scandal of a drama is related to the purchase of two Scorpene submarines from a French company. The purchase of the two Scorpene-type submarines and an Agosta-type happened in 2002 in a deal worth nearly €1 billion.
The Scorpene submarine scandal, which sparked controversy in 2010, was thought to have been forgotten by the authorities. However, it is now clear that the case was never closed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). We understand that the MACC could not disclose everything then as disclosing too much information may be detrimental to investigations.
However, keeping the public constantly updated by spelling out whether this or that case is being actively pursued will give the people the confidence that the authorities are serious about fighting corruption. The message must be clear: no one is above corruption investigation.
The Scorpene scandal may not match the financial scandal of 1MDB, but buried somewhere in the script of the Kuala Lumpur-Paris drama was the murder of Mongolian translator Altantunya Shaaribu Altantuya Shaariibuu, said to be involved in the deal. Not an insignificant number of Malaysians believe that had it not been for the killing of the translator, the Scorpene scandal would have been buried for good. Can't blame them.
Corruption must not only be fought but must also be seen to be fought. Putrajaya wants Malaysia to be among the 25 least corrupt countries in the world by 2033. Eradication of corruption isn't only the job of the MACC.
People, too, must help in every way they can to get rid of the scourge. When the Scorpene scandal was made known to the French authorities in 2010, they were quick to act. They charged two French officers of the submarine company with corruption. We, on the other hand, have yet to wrap up our investigations. With that, our corruption perception index tumbled.
The latest news from MACC, as revealed by a source to Berita Harian, is that it will start the probe rolling with the recording of statements from four people connected with the deal. The focus, we understand, is on the alleged embezzlement of RM42 million that was part of the RM530 million paid for support services to a local company. At long last, we must say.