Can we trust the ICI?

To be honest, I’m in a dilemma over this.

- DOREEN G. YU

I very much want to trust that the ICI - the Independent Commission for Infrastructure — will really investigate anomalies in infrastructure projects, dig deep and get to the bottom of this monumental national thievery, expose and bring to justice the ones responsible, especially the Big Fishes, the puppet masters, even if — especially ifthese include He Who Must Not Be Named.

At a recent event, I asked some of those at my table whether they trusted the ICI to do its job, and I got quite insightful answers. So I thought of doing an informal — and by no means scientific — survey and posted a message in several chat groups I’m part of asking two questions: (1) do you trust the ICI to really get to the bottom of this anomaly and charge the ones responsible? and (2) should the ICI hearings be made public (deliberations can be closed)? In two days I got 30-plus responses from what I can say is a pretty good sampling in terms of age (bagets, seniors and those in between) and occupation/ profession (students, working folks, retirees).

To the first question of trusting the ICI, the response was overwhelmingly No—23 against four yeses. One answer left no room for doubt: “Not at all.” There were three who half trusted — one said he’s giving them the benefit of the doubt, hoping something will come out of this. Another said “hope springs eternal but the cynical part of me does not trust that the real top corrupt culprits will be brought to justice.” The third gave a grudging yes, but was not enthusiastic about the chairman.