Last week’s cover story was on young people’s encounter with bribery. As it turns out, just about everyone has been in a situation where they were given the option of bribing someone to get things done, or simply to avoid getting into trouble.

We took the discussion to twitter, and asked our followers if they knew of corruption cases, whether they thought bribery is a norm, and what they could do to change things.

@Nashman: it’s a given how corruption is rife here, it’s an open secret, we have lost billions thru macro/micro squandering

@derrickveejay: well, despite the setting up of special anti-corruption commissions, the rate remains high. Corruption is still… Corruption.

@michoscopic: Road block. ‘nuff said

@aimranhamid: it’s quite sad to see that even after the establishment of MACC, the numbers only became worse…Botswana (32) * Namibia (57)

@joonsunn: I heard a story where a fella refused to bribe and failed the driving test 4 times. He finally bribed and passed.

@ruxyn: not surprised, really :O encountering #bribery is one thing. being involved is another =/

@iarrod: bribery is a CULTURE already =P

@PetrolSplasher: problem is bribery is a norm, and we have come to accept it with a reasoning it can’t be changed.

@crazy4stick: i think encountering is since young, cuz im sure many of us grew up seeing #bribery,

@YiPeng22: it’s such a normal occurrence that I’m surprised if no bribery is involved.

@muzieryn: maybe i’m idealistic. my parents and i’ve never bribed anyone before

@PetrolSplasher: well I have friends and myself included who refuse to take the easy way and bribing,tht means we pay full price 4 our mistakes

@JayAnilSS: perhaps #bribery incidents aren’t reported because of fear of action taken upon them by the accused

@JulzSaberz: Part of our lives? Some ppl just choose to get $$ by using others. Ex:Drivig test, they threaten to fail you if you don’t pay.

@mud MJ: i think that most would agree that one of the main reason of bribery is too much red tapes. ppl just want to get a free pass

@ruxyn: it’s the society’s culture to want things to be done quickly.. we want everything to be instant,thus ppl take advantage of dis

@crazy4stick: i do not agree that its our lifestyle. it is just the way people think.

@PepperAndEggs: First, we have to consider the fact that #bribery is usually the cheaper option to escape.

Towards the end of the discussion, we asked our readers what we as a society can do to eventually put a stop to corruption.

@ainaesther: if every1 against it, bribery wont happen.

@ruxyn: I believe so. If everyone say no to bribery, it would be a whole different story!

@Hafiz AdDin: dont make bribery as our way of life coz it will be a way of death to others 🙁

@iarrod: as individuals, don’t take & don’t give bribes

@PepperAndEggs: Parents shouldn’t complain that they HAVE to bribe to get something done. That’s not the way to stop

@ivyjosiah: we need an easier way to complain, through email or sms. Just time, place and taxi plate number.

@crazy4stick: stop paying up. period.

@arcturus mengsk: Say no 2 paying! I’ve feigned ignorance & asked 4 traffic summonses b4 & have been let off everytime w a warning 🙂

@joonsunn: Vote the corrupt people out of office. Civilians cannot risk getting their job not done coz of some inefficient officer.

@bennylim18: I think as individuals, we have a lot of power. It’s always harder to do but I feel if we just say “NO” it’s a good start

@DrS94: Make sure we never give or solicit a bribe. Also, we should drum this into our future generations

@ainaesther: stand with wat you believe. if u are against bribery, then dont accept any even though it’s a small one.

@muzieryn: really do think it would be different if we said no. definitely.