Press statement by Dr. Lim Teck Ghee on World Bank President

As a former World Bank staff member, I wish to call on the Malaysia Executive Director to the World Bank, representing Malaysia and ten other Asia Pacific countries in the Bank’s governing board, to do the right thing and ask for the immediate resignation of the President, Paul Wolfowitz, for his role in securing an unacceptably high pay rise and promotion for his partner in violation of the Bank’s own rules.  Other Bank staff members providing support to his actions should be identified and punished.  

The actions of Wolfowitz are a reminder of how easily leaders in high office - despite their rhetoric of high principles and ethical standards - fall prey to self interests and engage in unethical practices that undermine the effectiveness of the institutions they are entrusted to lead.  The more important lesson to learn is that stakeholders must be vigilant to misconduct of leaders; should demand absolute integrity at all times; and should punish those that have strayed from the straight and narrow. Transgressions that go undetected or unpunished will only embolden leaders to engage in further acts of corruption and deceit, and encourage a culture of hypocrisy.

Kuala Lumpur, 13 April 2007