Corruption Thought

HE is Oxford educated law professor and working for a top Asia's varsity, NUS. She is a law student who study at NUS. Two years after she graduates from school, the scandal has been disclosed by the media. I am interesting to read the news as it involved highly regard law professor who has worked for government as well. He is being charged for gratification. There are total 6 charges he is facing in court. The trial is on-going and it have been headline news these days. In the highly competitive world, students have been extremely crazy to achieve their ambition of getting top job after school. To get a place in top firm, he/she must pass in upper class honor in their respective field. What if the student wants the grade more than his/her qualification? This court case become a modern sample and make parent aware of their varsity-going children.

Look at what are the six charge.

1) Mont Blac Pen worth S$700+

2)  iPod worth S$160+

3) 2 pairs of tailor made shirt worth S$ 700+

4) paying bills worth S$ 1700+

5) sexual intercourse worth priceless

6) sexual intercourse worth priceless

In return, the professor has to access in favor of female student. It is very clear that he is easily afford to buy above items but the last two. She is as young as his daughter. The professor is 41 and she was about 19 when incident took place. It is really disgrace to the reputation of NUS. This incident had cost him suspension from his current post with NUS while the trial is on-going. Likewise, the greedy student's degree certificate has been voided by NUS as well as she lost her current job with top law firm. Nobody is winner from this sad story. But this case make me think of my country's education system.

Other than the last two, the first four items are nothing but common in our student-teacher relationship at all level, from kindergarten to university. As a buddhist nation, it is part of our culture to pay tribute to our teachers together with some presents occasionally. Some deliberately gave present to their teacher to get their favor in return. Some to show their gratitude in the performance of teachers. If accepting present is rated crime under corruption, I think most of our teachers have to go prison. It is partly due to system error. Our teachers are paid very low salaries and they can't survive without such under table practice. Some might give extra tuition outside classes in order to gain extra income to support their daily needs. Despite giving tuition is not recommended by authority, it is widely continue as a way of survivor. No wonder Singapore has reputation for its rule of law. Hope our country's law makers learn something from tiny state so that we could have a clean governance and good government as our president pledges always.