In my letter, I had asked MPs who support the proposal to convey their position to the government through their usual channels, whether through their Ministers in Cabinet, their respective parties or other means.
My letter to the MPs is as follows:
14th July 1997
Kepada Ahli-Ahli Parliament
Yang Berhormat,
I write to seek your support for the proposal that Malaysia should bid to host the 9th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in Kuala Lumpur in 1999.
Corruption is regarded as one of the five top barriers deterring international multimedia/IT companies from investing in Malaysia, and there is no more effective way for Malaysia to make an international debut on the world stage to show our seriousness in wanting to wage an all-out war against corruption than to bid to host the 9th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in Kuala Lumpur in 1999.
In September, Malaysia will be participating in the 8th International Anti-Corruption Conference to be held in Lima, Peru from 7 - 11 September 1997. The main themes of the 8th IACC includes:
(1) Defining the challenge of corruption
i. Social and economic costs of corruption
ii. Can corruption ever be harmless: What does East Asia tell us?
iii. Curbing corruption in public finances
iv. Grand corruption in international public procure: the challenge to
governments, the private sector and lending institutions.
(2) Sharpening the tools for the fight against corruption
i. Reversing the onus of proof: is it compatible with respect for
human rights norms?
ii. Monitoring the assets and lifestyles of public decisionmakers: can
it be made to work?
iii. The impact of empirical surveys on policy development in the corruption
field
iv. Extending international mutual assistance in corruption cases: what
is blocking reforms?
(3) Empowering civil society in the fight against corruption
i. Empowering the people through access to information
ii. Raising public awareness, including education in schools
iii. Political party funding: who is funding a democracy, and why?
iv. The role of NGOs in containing corruption: a split presentation - North/South
(4)Broadening international co-operation
i. Role of the multilateral agencies in helping societies to contain
corruption
ii. International judicial assistance: global, multilateral and bilateral
treaties: their pros and their cons
iii. Adoption of the Lima Strategy for Containing Corruption
The Lima Conference will also have special interest get-togethers for relevant groups, e.g. members of judiciary, MPs, Chambers of Commerce, engineers, Attorney-Generals, bankers, lawyers and special workshops on separate topics in the campaign against corruption.
Malaysia should in fact send a strong delegation to the IACC in Lima in September not only to back the bid for hosting the 9th IACC in 1999, but to show the country�s commitment to be in the vanguard in the world in the fight against corruption. The Malaysian delegation to Lima should include a strong parliamentary component to show Parliamentary support for the bid to host the next IACC in Malaysia in 1999.
It is hoped that you could support the proposal that Malaysia make the bid to host the next IACC Conference by communicating your support to the government through your usual channels.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Lim Kit Siang
Ketua Pembangkang
(14/7/97)