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Synopsis :

In the second part of his speech on corruption in developing countries, during the Second Asean Regional Meeting, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Labour S. Rajaratnam speaks about widespread kleptocracy. He says that there is little evidence to show that without corruption, modernisation would have stopped. Corruption has changed from outright intimidation to a subtle and sophisticated system ingrained into society. Kleptocrats now seek millions of dollars instead of small gifts.

In the third part of his speech, Mr Rajaratnam speaks of the dangers of kleptocracy. He says that as the needs of kleptocrats grow, a larger support network is required, leading to more corruption. The result is greater unrest and anarchy within the society. Meanwhile the kleptocrats allow persecution of minority factions to avoid public focus on corruption. He states that these are symptoms of a decaying society.