Bruce Golding's oft-repeated anti-corruption pronouncements and his corresponding tactics to break the back of the roving monster are finding favour with an increased number of Jamaicans.

The latest Gleaner-commissioned Bill Johnson poll has found that 48 per cent of Jamaicans are inspired by the action of the Government to crush corruption, while 44 per cent say they are not impressed.

Since coming to office two years ago, the Golding administration has initiated moves to establish a special prosecutor to clamp down on corrupt public officials.

The bill to give legal powers to the proposed special prosecutor is being examined by a parliamen-tary committee.

Widespread public interest

The appointment of a new commissioner of customs to flush out dishonest practices at ports of entry has also attracted widespread public interest.

Of the 48 per cent who approve of Golding's tactics, 11 per cent strongly approve of the Govern-ment's anti-corruption stance, while an additional 37 per cent say they are merely in favour of the Government's approach.

Of the 44 per cent who are less than satisfied with the Govern-ment's effort, 32 per cent disapprove and 12 per cent have expressed strong disapproval of its anti-corruption measures.

Another eight per cent say they do not know.

Golding had constantly vowed in his pre-election pronouncements that he would move decisively to rein in rampant corruption and waste.

In stark contrast to views on corruption, most Jamaicans continue to be disappointed with the efforts of the Bruce Golding administration in dealing with crime.

Three national security ministers in two years have failed to inspire confidence among most Jamaicans that the Golding administration is capable of dealing with the crime problem.

Johnson has found that 55 per cent of Jamaicans are unconvinced that Golding and his team are doing a good job at stemming the crime tide.

Positive rating for nelson

However, an encouraging 38 per cent of the respondents gave the Dwight Nelson-led ministry a positive rating.

When the rumblings, precipitated by the high crime rate started, during Golding's first year in office, he rushed to replace Derrick Smith who reigned as opposition spokesman on national security for more than a decade.

Former Police Commissioner Colonel Trevor Macmillan was catapulted to take on the challenging portfolio, but within 10 months, MacMillan was out and Nelson, better known for his prowess on the industrial relations landscape, was in.

Significantly, Golding made the unprecedented move of picking the last two national security ministers from the Senate - a clear indication of his determination to find the right person for the job.

However, this has not helped to convince most Jamaicans that the Government has yet to get the handle on crime.

Of the 55 per cent who have given the Government's effort a failing grade, 19 per cent strongly disapprove while another 36 are disappointed with the way the tough portfolio is being managed.

Seven per cent of respondents say they didn't know whether the Government is doing a good job, managing the country's national security portfolio.

Intertwined systems

Crime and the justice system are intertwined and it is no wonder that the trend whereby people thought the Government needed to do more would carry over to their thought on the latter.

In fact, Johnson found that 45 per cent of people responding to a question on whether or not the Golding administration was ensuring that the courts and the justice system were well run, said the latter.

Furthermore, 13 per cent of those who disapprove of the way justice is being administered strongly disapproved of the Government's tactics.

Unfortunately, there was a large percentage of persons - 21 - who did not know one way or the other.

The good news for the Golding administration is that 35 per cent of respondents to the poll did think there was a good job being done in the area of justice.

Seven per cent of those are very impressed.

Macmillan, Smith, Nelson