Deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Baki disclosed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had received information that some civil servants are still demanding that contractors sponsor holidays for their family members and colleagues, despite recent crackdowns.

I am not surprised as those who solicit bribes are similar to thieves. They usually start with small bribes or petty thefts, similar to drug addicts that require increasingly higher dosage.

If those taking small bribes and petty thieves are not stopped, they graduate to bigger things and will continue after becoming rich, as soliciting bribes and stealing things are more overpowering than force of habit.

Their criminal actions are similar to tics, which are involuntary sudden movements, such as eye-blinking, nose-twitching, head-jerking, or shoulder-shrugging.

Our society should frown upon those who lie or cheat a little, claim for higher or non-existent expenses or overtime, as allowing them to get away will eventually bring more harm to them, their families and society.

As such, it is necessary to stamp out the seeds of corruption before they take root.

Working life is tough, especially in developing countries where income is low for an average worker.

Those who retired with their Employees Provident Fund or pensions intact will get to enjoy their retirement and may take on some casual jobs for extra income.

On the other hand, corrupt senior civil servants and their families will eventually suffer more than they enjoyed from the ill-gotten gains.

Life is always a balance. It is better to ‘suffer first, enjoy later’ and count the blessings at the last stage of our lives.

Those who enjoy at the expense of others will eventually find themselves and their families cursed by the ill-gotten gains.