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| Monday, 1 March 2004 |
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The pathetic JBIZ ultimatum by Amrit Muttukumaru It was amusing to note the much publicized threat of JBIZ which constitutes the leadership of our business community, articulated at a meeting held at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce auditorium on 12th January, to give an ultimatum and even a warning to the president and prime minister respectively to resolve the current political crisis through cohabitation. Knowing the pathetic nature of our largely conflict of interest ridden private sector dependent on the state for patronage and handouts, it was clear that this was mere fantasy and that they wouldnt dare do it . Not only have they most predictably not issued the threatened ultimatum, but equally predictably the president has responded to their feeble request with utter disdain by the dissolution of parliament. Extravagant media supplements Both the president and prime minister have also turned down their request for a joint meeting with them. After all, our politicians and top bureaucrats are fully aware that at the drop of a hat, our business leaders are not only prone to invite them for all their functions important or otherwise, but also virtually grovel at their feet! This servility is also seen in extravagant media supplements sponsored by them with inane messages from politicians and bureaucrats accompanied by color photographs. For example, the supplement brought out by the National Chamber of Commerce in September 2002 in connection with its INTRAD exhibition had messages from no less than 6 ministers in addition to the prime minister. Meditate For support at the chamber meeting, they had invited the President of the Organization of Professional Associations (OPA), the leader of the well-endowed NGO, Sarvodaya described as a world renowned social leader and a representative from the Congress of Religions ostensibly comprising the highest most leaders from all four religions. The social leader reportedly commenced proceedings by getting those present to meditate for three minutes. He also disclosed plans by his NGO to amass one million people in March this year in pursuance of national re-awakening. Sri Lanka First another avatar of the business community, formed after its sudden awakening 18 years since the escalation of the ethnic conflict in 1983, when its interests were threatened in the aftermath of the airport bombing in July 2001, also claimed that it brought out one million persons to hold hands for a few minutes on the 19th of September 2001 for the cause of peace! The truth is that these are essentially self-serving activities more in the nature of gimmicks with influence peddling and commercial interests taking center stage since often generous donor funds with minimum accountability are thrown in. This is very clear since at no stage have any efforts been made to carry out a sustained and credible campaign to exert real pressure for good governance . Why dont these leaders for starters, take a firm policy decision to ostracize our politicians and bureaucrats to the extent where they do not socialize with them which includes not inviting them for their various functions. The sad fact is that these civic leaders have lost all moral authority due to serious fault lines in their own governance and integrity. No Moral Authority A logical question that arises is what these people with the self-proclaimed capacity to bring out at least 2 millions persons onto the streets for the objective of good governance were doing all these years, particularly in the face of the promulgation of one of the most authoritarian and undemocratic constitutions in the world in 1978 which we continue to have, the pogrom unleashed against Tamils with some measure of state support in 1983 and the discrimination continuing to be inflicted on this community, the shocking abuse of power, rampant corruption at all levels, the nexus between influential elements in the political and police establishments on one hand and the underworld on the other, the jettisoning a few years ago of the proposed equal opportunity bill, appalling electoral violence and the terrible monstrosity that passes for governance in this country? Hypocrisy It is ironic to also note the much publicised JBIZ Code of Conduct for political parties during the forthcoming general elections. One wonders to what extent the members of JBIZ themselves conform to their own code- particularly No.3 ! Before demanding good governance from our politicians, our leaders of civil society should practice the same in their respective institutions. Only then will they be in a position to exert moral authority and be taken seriously. For example, the state of corporate governance in this country is a disgrace. There are so many outrageous cases that are being hushed up due to influence exerted in high places in the political and regulatory establishments. A conspicuous feature of our terrible corporate governance is the all pervading conflict of interest. A shocking example is the unprecedented multi-Billion Rupee worth blanket package of amnesties given to affluent and influential lawbreakers for income tax, exchange control, excise and customs violations amounting to around Rupees 200 Billion with the seeming acquiescence of the entire chamber community, our watch-dogs and the self-proclaimed champions of good corporate governance. To place things in perspective, the entire Mahaweli project cost the country just over Rs. 50 Billion. The write-off of millions and sometimes even Billions of Rupees given as loans from state banks to individuals and business entities due to political patronage is another scandalous example. It is also a fact that a substantial portion of the profitability of even some blue chip companies are due to contributions from very questionable privatizations through state patronage which are veritable cash-cows. There are also serious fault lines in the governance and integrity of some of our leading NGOs which have lost their bearing due to creeping commercialism and greed. Key sections of the professional community not excluding the apex OPA are also debilitated by a crisis in integrity. It is reported that some affluent Colombo based NGOs had enlisted the services of a leading personality from South Africas ruling ANC towards resolving the political impasse. The utter failure of their attempt can also be attributed to a problem of credibility. It is also most likely that they have as usual fared well in financial terms even for this activity by receiving generous grants from donors with little or no accountability. After all this is the name of the game! Even the bringing out of people onto the streets for purported commendable objectives, we understand either directly or indirectly, possibly also bolstered by inflated figures, translates into good business due to generous donor support. Bottom line The bottom line is that, it is the vigilance and assertiveness of civil society that is the lubricant that oils the wheels of a vibrant democracy. This is also a critical ingredient for sustainable development and progress. It is in the absence of this, that irresponsible governance and inequity thrives. Its absence is the real tragedy of this country. It is still not too late for JBIZ if it is serious, through its own Sri Lanka First and Sarvodaya, who claim that they have the capacity to bring out at least two million persons onto the streets for peaceful protest, to apply decisive pressure on our politicians towards: * Free and fair elections devoid of violence * All-round good governance beginning with themselves * Negotiated resolution of the ethnic conflict |
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