DON'T HANG AROUND WITH THE RICH

Translated from Utusan Malaysia (18th April 2006)

The Director General of Royal Malaysian Customs, Datuk Abdul Rahman Abdul Hamid reminded custom officers to isolate themselves from being associated with the lifestyle of those seen to be too rich.

He said, this is because having a close relationship with groups or individuals from 'outside one's category' can raise interpretations and questions from the public.

"Keep yourselves from associating with the rich to make yourselves look rich. Live a normal lifestyle because we are public officers.

"There are many public office holders with far smaller salaries than custom officers who are able to lead fulfilling lives.

"We are the trustees of national revenue, of course there are many who are interested in being associated with us. This should be handled wisely, " he said.


My Compliments to Datuk Abdul Rahman for taking the effort to remind his officers of the nature of their position in public departments. I wish more Heads of government departments and leaders would take the cue.


Corruption is worse than prostitution. The latter might endanger the morals of an individual, the former invariably endangers the morals of the entire country.
-Karl Kraus (1874–1936), Austrian satirist.