Ongoing arrests, prosecution give MACC new image – DPM
PUTRAJAYA: The ongoing Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission ( MACC)-fuelled arrest and prosecution of corrupt individuals have given a new image to the commission.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the stern action taken, regardless of the suspect’s position had also proved the notion that only ‘small fry’ would bear the brunt of the law was no longer applicable under the MACC’s integrated work led by Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad as its chief commissioner.
Under Dzulkifli, he said, the MACC had shown its seriousness in combating corruption where the so- called ‘ big fish’ that had often been perceived to have always gotten off the hook, had also been detained and prosecuted in recent times.
“Perhaps, all this time there was action taken against the so-called ‘big fish’ by the MACC...however, the public assumed the agency only caught the ‘small fry’ and that the net used was not strong enough to catch the big ones.
“Now, I have to congratulate the MACC for the ‘ big fish’ that have been caught in the MACC’s anti- corruption net,” he said when addressing the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) - MACC’s Anti- Corruption Pledge (IBR) ceremony here yesterday.
Also present at the IBR event that was streamed live at all JIM offices, both here and abroad were Immigration director- general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali and MACC deputy chief commissioner
Perhaps, all this time there was action taken against the socalled ‘big fish’ by the MACC...however, the public assumed the agency only caught the ‘small fry’ and that the net used was not strong enough to catch the big ones.
(operations) Datuk Azam Baki.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said the MACC’s comprehensive action had indirectly restored the people’s trust in the government that might have been affected by negative allegations hurled by certain parties.
He hoped the MACC fight against corruption would not receive a fate similar to the Royal Malaysia Police ( PDRM) that was often viewed in a negative light despite a drop in the crime rate to 47 per cent since the implementation of the transformation programme in 2009.
“I hope such a thing will not happen to the MACC when the corruption index is reduced...and I am confident with the cooperation of all parties, including Datuk Azam, it is not impossible to achieve,” he said.
Meanwhile, Azam said the arrests, especially involving civil servants were not to show that the MACC had acted harshly or relentlessly against the group.
He said as the country’s driving force, the delivery system and governance needed to be implemented with high integrity and for that reason, civil servants should not be allowed to be seen as corrupt and abusing their power while carrying out their responsibilities. — Bernama
Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister