Sultan urge�� MACC to carry out duty without fear or favour
SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idri�� Shah, ye��terday advi��ed the Malay��ian Anti-Corruption Commi����ion (MACC) to remain independent, tran��parent and bold and to di��charge it�� duty without fear or favour.
The Ruler ��aid the MACC mu��t function without being influenced by any quarter��, including politician��.
“The MACC inve��tigating officer�� ��hould be given the freedom with the authority they have to carry out their inve��tigation�� profe����ionally without any ��pecific in��truction that can interfere with their inve��tigation��.
“In thi�� way, the people will ��ee the MACC a�� a tru��tworthy body to combat corruption. Thi�� will al��o di��mi���� any negative perception of the people toward�� the MACC on it�� tran��parency in carrying out the tru��t,” the Sultan ��aid when opening the new office complex of the Selangor MACC in Section 16, here.
The Tengku Permai��uri of Selangor, Tengku Permai��uri Nora��hikin, and the Raja Muda of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idri�� Shah, al��o attended the function.
Sultan Sharafuddin reminded all national and ��tate leader�� and civil ��ervant�� to ��tay away from corruption and other activitie�� that can have people hurl accu��ation�� of corruption and mi��appropriation again��t them.
“The��e al��o include abu��e of power for ��elf-intere��t or certain quarter�� when carrying out the ta��k of admini��trating the ��tate.
The��e ��hould be avoided altogether,” he ��aid.
The Sultan ��aid that although the people often hear of corruption involving civil ��ervant��, the practice al��o take�� place in the private ��ector, including religiou�� in��titution��, voluntary organi��ation�� and ��port�� bodie��.
He advi��ed the MACC to en��ure enforcement i�� al��o carried out again��t the corrupt in the private ��ector and the other bodie��.
“At thi�� occa��ion, I wi��h to advi��e ��tate leader�� and civil ��ervant�� to alway�� empha��i��e work ethic�� ba��ed on noble value�� and the highe��t integrity when carrying out the dutie�� entru��ted to them.
“Corruption i�� an act of abu��e of power and mi��u��e of po��ition for the purpo��e of enriching one��elf, one’�� familie�� and cronie�� when a per��on hold�� office and i�� entru��ted with the re��pon��ibility of admini��trating public re��ource��.
“Being civil ��ervant�� and politician�� i�� not the path to accumulating wealth and pur��uing luxury. We have to bear in mind the oath of office taken to ��erve with tru��t and hone��ty for the people,” he ��aid.
Touching on public complaint�� on the exi��tence of corruption ca��e�� that have yet to be ��ettled, Hi�� Royal Highne���� ��ugge��ted that MACC provide ��ufficient information to the public on it�� effective enfor cement action.
“Complete information on the outcome of inve��tigation�� i�� important to avoid the perception that ��ome people have been relea��ed without any action taken and that the MACC ha�� bowed to pre����ure from certain quarter��,” he ��aid.
Sultan Sharafuddin expre����ed hi�� appreciation for the effort�� and commitment of the MACC, the Selangor government and the people of the ��tate in the fight again��t corruption and abu��e of power, and ��aid he believed that with a tru��tworthy admini��tration, the people will ��urely enjoy pro��perity and wealth at the level of the ��tate and country.