Take an honest re-look at licensing

Take an honest re-look at licensing RECENT EVENTS SURROUNDING the award of temporary trading licences for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan have delivered a rude jolt to the public. The more visible of these shocks is the conflict between traders who have been allocated lots at bustling Jalan Mesjid India, and those who have obtained the written permission of Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad to set up stalls in the city. The resultant jostling for the best spots to snare the millions of Raya shoppers looking for bargain buys and Puasa delicacies has spilled into the news, because the affected par ties have got into a heated confrontation, even taking their dispute to the streets. Many people are pained that the religious occasion that ought to be marked by fasting and moderation in behaviour is being sullied by the open display of greed for profit, business rivalry, extravagance and gluttony. Indeed, such comments have become almost standard at the religious festivals of all the communities, and may reflect the social trends of these materialistic times. However, another aspect of the licensing exercise bears fur ther scrutiny, and this is where a sensational development this past week has caught the headlines. This is the reported arrest of a senior police of ficer's son by the AntiCorruption Agency for allegedly accepting a bribe to secure Ramadan trading licences. While public attention may be focused on the alleged suspect's family connections and the amount that is said to have changed hands, the more important issue is the perception that licences can be made available through the intervention of influential people. In the light of these incidents, it is imperative for local councils to revamp their licensing procedures so that such permits are awarded in the full light of public scrutiny. This reform must be achieved before the perception becomes entrenched in the public's mind that shadowy dealings are the order of the day for those in public office. If we sincerely wish to encourage a society that is anchored in integrity, the uproar over trading lots should become a catalyst for bringing the stall allocation process into the open. Let a new culture of transparency and accountability be installed in our local authorities. This will ser ve as an excellent case study for the implementation of the much-anticipated National Integrity Plan.