Tackling students’ misconception on graft
PUTRAJAYA: Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa (YSS), a student foundation under the Education Ministry, has pledged to look into the findings of a recent study on perception on corruption among students and study the seriousness of issues raised as part of its agenda.
YSS chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said students should have integrity and refrain from corrupt practices while studying and after joining the workforce.
He said he was aware of the recent survey by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM) and a public university on the unfavourable perception students have on corruption.
He said he would discuss the severity and options available to curb the phenomenon with the YSS board of directors before coming up with an action plan.
“This would be one of the agendas we hope to discuss at the YSS board meeting before making suggestions for effective solutions. This includes an in-depth study on the issue of corruption perception among students, as well as making integrity one of the three important aspects championed by the foundation,” he said.
Lee said the foundation emphasised three main objectives, which were to create volunteers who took pride in creating a futuristic and patriotic next generation with high integrity.
“These three aspects are vital to ensure social and international growth of a person and the country.
“As long as we instil good values and integrity in the future generation, I believe we can combat corruption,” he said after attending the 7th YSS anniversary celebration at Marina Putrajaya here yesterday.
MACC had conducted a survey of 1,000 university students, which showed that they were accepting of corruption.
The survey found that 16 per cent of them were willing to accept bribes and 18.5 per cent would receive bribes if they did not have to deal with repercussions.
Another survey, on Student Perception of Corruption, run by IIM, revealed that one in every three local university students thought that receiving a gift in the form of money, goods or services in return for services was not corruption.
Meanwhile, Lee announced that YSS will launch a free tuition programme for students from the bottom 40 percent hardcore poor community in the Klang Valley.
Each People’s Housing Project (PPR) involved in the “Tuition Mission” programme will also be equipped with a mini library with reference books and essential reading materials.
Lee said the pilot programme, which provides coaching for about 150 students on a one-toone basis, was the brainchild of the YSS alumni and volunteers who were mostly university undergraduates.
“The project is a collaborative effort between the Education Ministry and the Housing and Local Government Ministry. It is expected to commence in May at five PPR areas first.”
Lee said he was confident that the programme would benefit the students as many from the lowerincome group could not afford private tuition.
The classes, to be held once a week on Saturdays, will be taught by public university students from Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Putra Malaysia, as well as future educators from teacher training colleges.