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Hi! I would kindly request the help of everyone who sees this post to help me.. The public speaking competition (national level) is going to be held on the 27th - 29th of october in Kuantan, Pahang. Talking of it makes me feel nervous about the whole thing.. Hence, I really need your help in helping to edit and correct any kind of mistake found in my speech.. Please kindly leave a comment as to where it needs to be improved, so that I can make the amendments.. You can also take it and ask for advice from anyone else.. I'm open to all advice or correction.. Please help me... Please.. Please... Please.... And a huge thanks for your help and support.. =)
Here's my speech:
‘Corruption is a tree, whose branches are of an immeasurable length: they spread everywhere; and the dew that drops from thence hath infected some chairs and stools of authority. – Honest Man’s Fortune’
A very good morning to the respectable chairperson, honourable adjudicators, accurate time keepers. Invited guests and members of the floor. On this pleasant morning, I am going to present a speech entitled “Towards Excellent Malaysia without Corruption”.
According to the Concise Oxford Dictionary, the word ‘excellent’ brings the meaning of ‘pre-eminent’. In other words the phrase ‘Excellent Malaysia’ means a Malaysia that is extremely good from every aspect. Meanwhile, the word “corruption” is defined as ‘the misuse of a public or private position for direct or indirect personal gain’. Malaysia is a nation like no other. However, corruption has been rearing its ugly head ever since it has been a nation. It is damaging, just as the former premier Dato’ Seri Abdullah Bin Ahmad Badawi, stated during the 4th Regional Anti-Corruption Conference of Asia and Pacific, that “combating corruption is not just for the simple reason that corruption is morally wrong, but because corruption exacts a heavy toll on nation’s social, political and economic well-being.” Thus, viable measures should be taken in dealing with corruption effectively. Controlling it is only possible with the cooperation of a wide range of stakeholders in the integrity system, including the government, both public and private sectors, the community, and most importantly, every individual. There are four major measures that can be implemented while working towards an excellent Malaysia without corruption.
First and foremost, the enforcement of law is an effective measure in preventing corruption. Though not always impressively effectual, yet the enforcement of law had proofed the indispensable value of its existence in combating corruption. Individuals, corporations, industries, offices, political figures or even royalties who are convicted of corruption should face justice just like anyone else. There should not be any immunity for anyone who is guilty of corruption. Rigorous and stringent rules and regulations ought to be implemented as a measure of curbing corruption. In Malaysia, various steps in the enforcement of law have been taken to prevent and reduce corruption, such as the establishment of the Integrity Institute of Malaysia [IIM] and the implementation of the National Integrity Plan [NIP]. Besides, the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) also carries the objective to continuously eliminate all forms of corruption, abuse of power and malpractice. The introduction of Anti-Corruption Act 1997 is also a proactive measure taken by the authority. The few measures given above clearly show that our country has done veritable good efforts in enforcing laws while dealing with corruption. It is only through constant re-examination and re-assessment, will the laws applied be up to date and relevant in dealing with the present crisis of corruption. Hence, it can be concluded that the enforcement of law together with constant re-evaluation is a main key that leads us towards an excellent country that is free from corruption.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The second measure in treating corruption, which comes alongside with the enforcement of law would be education. Curbing corruption does not solely depend on the punishment received when the law is broken. Rather, it is also important that the public should be educated on the negative consequences of corruption. Moreover, the public should also be educated on the acute repercussions if they are involved in bribery. Therefore, campaigns organized by various organizations for the purpose of educating the public regarding the danger of corruption are essential to enlighten the public. Through talks and speeches, the public will learn more about corruption. Other than that, education on bribery and corruption issues should begin with the formal education system. Through moral classes in school, students will be more equipped with the knowledge of the importance to refrain themselves from falling into the entrapment of corruption. This is a crucial step, because if the future generation is not thwarted from committing the same mistake, solving the current problem will only serve to be futile. Thus, it can be seen clearly that education is crucial in the effort of combating corruption in order for our country to excel towards excellent Malaysia without corruption.
Members of the floor,
Religious teachings and moral values are not to be omitted. From the aspect of religion, we need to improvise ourselves prudently according to the teachings of various beliefs. This will constantly remind us that all these acts are against God. What is for sure is that corruption is definitely against all religious laws. The first of the five national principles is to believe in God, which is a very strong deterrent for someone to act maliciously or coveting dishonest gain. As for moral values, Malaysia is gaining a head start to implement moral classes in middle and high schools. People who have high moral values stands for the noble side, they have a less proclivity to give in to the desire of near-sighted mindset to take the easy but less virtuous way out when dealing with financial gain. Thus, this clearly shows us that religious teachings and moral values are important criterions that cannot be left out as measures in combating corruption while striving towards the excellence that Malaysia can achieve without corruption.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Last but not least, the mass media plays an essential role in combating corruption in our country efficiently. The Malaysian media plays its role in making commendable efforts towards highlighting and exposing the corruption cases of high profile ones in the public and private sector. Complaints and comments from readers and viewers exposing wrongdoings are bold. This, in turn, leads to the crackdown on malpractices after being exposed by the media. Some of the television programmes which boldly track down and expose these corruption cases are such as, the programmes 999 and Siasat. Therefore, the mass media serves as an effective tool of educating and raising the awareness of the public regarding corruption and its consequences. In addition, news of corruption and its negative effects that constantly lights the scene of the television has served as warnings and lessons to the public, ensuring that they would not fall for the lure of corruption. Thus, it is clearly seen that the mass media plays an important part in combating corruption successfully, whereby Malaysia can attain excellence in being free from corruption.
Based on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) in year 2008, Malaysia was ranked 47th out of 180 countries in the whole world with an average score of 5.1. Thus, it can be concluded that the review of efforts that have been made in Malaysia to combat corruption is encouraging. Yet it is also clear that some of the major issues discussed above need to be addressed if Malaysia hopes to succeed in its attempt to reduce corruption. I believe that with the help and cooperation of every party, our attempt in striving towards an excellent Malaysia will not be in vain. So let us, as citizens of Malaysia, start to take up our roles and responsibilities, and cooperate as we work towards our goal of attaining an excellent Malaysia without corruption. Thank you.
