Introduce anti-corruption elements in textbooks – MCPF

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) has suggested that the Ministry of Education (MOE) introduce anti-corruption education under the religious and moral education subjects.

Its senior vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said it should start with Year Five students so as to educate students from young to loathe or hate corruption and bribery in the same way they are taught to hate drugs.

"It is hoped that the Education Ministry will give its support to see this proposal through by introducing the subject of corruption prevention education under the moral studies subject.

"The most appropriate and effective way to prevent corruption is to start with the schools as it could help bring up a young generation of Malaysians who hate and reject corruption in all forms,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Lee also shared a report by the MACC which showed a propensity among university students to receive bribes if they had the power and opportunity to do so.

The study by MACC in 2016 showed that 16 per cent of 1,000 students who are respondents from local universities, are willing to accept bribes and 18.5 per cent would accept a bribe if they did not have to face any action.

Lee also shared another survey on Student’s Perception of Corruption carried out by the Integrity Institute of Malaysia (IIM) which revealed that one in every three local university students thinks that receiving a present in the form of money, goods or service in return for services is not corruption.

"We have to teach moral values to the students when they are young so that when they leave schools and the universities and enter the workplace, they would have realised the importance of not getting involved in corruption," Lee added.