Lucrative sand

‘Corrupt’ means guilty of dishonest practices such as bribery, or lacking integrity, which then leads us to its noun ‘corruption’.

‘Corruption’ means, among many things, perversion of integrity or dishonest proceedings.

Would the act of paying oneself two months bonus after just 4 months on the job represent a corrupt act, a dishonest proceeding? Or that big term, perversion of integrity?

Even if the company rules permit the management to decide on such a bonus (or is silent on it), would the act of the management, which greatly benefits the management itself, be considered as a perversion of integrity?

Malaysiakini reported that Selcat stated there is no evidence of corruption in KSSB.

Just in case you don't know, KSSB or Kuala Semesta Sdn Bhd is the Selangor state government-owned sand mining company, formed by MB Khalid Ibrahim's administration to curb illegal sand mining in the state.

MKINI reported that Selcat panel chairperson Teng Chang Khim said the panel found no evidence of corruption, but rather, mismanagement in KSSB.

However, the dictionary says ‘mismanagement’ means to manage incompetently or dishonestly.

I believe Teng's mention of 'mismangement' in KSSB was more to do with incompetent management. However at the same time, to remind ourselves, ‘mismanagement' also mean manage dishonestly.

Once again, I ask: would the management giving themselves 2 months bonus for a mere 4 months work be considered as dishonest management or, as Teng probably suggested, incompetent management?

I know it's unusual to give bonus even before a year in business had been completed but obviously the spirit of Malaysia Boleh exists everywhere.

Whichever, I trust the MB and his exco will take appropriate action, namely, to sack the entire top management of KSSB. Such sheer breath-stealing incompetency has no place in a Pakatan-led State or a Pakatan established company.

Let’s not pussyfoot around, Khalid Ibrahim. Sack the lot! Wait, first retrieve the 2 months bonus as not justified nor approved.

I wait eagerly to hear your decision.

And for those die-hard PKR supporters, stop demon-izing Manikavasagam – would you prefer he kept quiet and allow the KSSB management to continue putting their snout in the trough? Don't let sand get in your eyes la.

Little drops of water,
little grains of sand,
make the mighty ocean
and the beauteous land.

So our little errors
lead the soul away,
from the paths of virtue
into sin to stray.

- Julia Carney, 1845 [1st and 4th stanza]