MACC deserves fullest support in fight against corruption, says Lee

SIBU: Laws on corruption should be constantly reviewed in order to empower the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission ( MACC) to act effectively since corruption is pervasive, affecting almost every aspects of life.

In a media statement yesterday, the trustee of 1Malaysia Foundation Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said that MACC must be given the fullest support by the government, particularly all its law enforcement agencies to help ensure that the war against corruption is effective and sustainable.

“MACC must also bring the war against corruption to the ground and educate the people on its negative effects.

“Innovative efforts such as using the various modes of public transport to reach out to the public and enlist their participation in the war against corruption are indeed essential,” he added.

MACC’s continuous effort and actions against those involved must be free from interference from all quarters and the agency must be given a free hand to act without fear or favour, Lee continued.

He also mentioned that MACC’s declaration that corruption is the country’s number one public enemy must be supported by all.

Lee said the war against corruption must go beyond enforcement and we should discard the ‘ kautim’ culture where the people would try to settle their problems by offering bribes.

However, the MACC’s serious efforts in law enforcement must bear fruits and the public wants to see that it will lead to successful prosecution of the culprits.

“What is equally important is to ensure that the punishment meted out commensurates with the crime committed by the culprits.

“We must commend MACC’s ongoing aggressive effort to fight graft as it is in line with the public’s hope and aspiration to eradicate all forms of corruption in the country,” he pointed out.

Only when government bodies are purged of corrupt personnel will their credibility be reinforced and public confidence strengthened.

“From the reports on arrests made by the MACC, it appears that corruption in the public sector is serious and warrants stern action by the enforcement agencies.

“The all- out war against graft should also involve the private sector as corrupt practices also exist there.”

Lee also mentioned that the public must be proactive and report to the agency if they have information on graft and power abuse and based on evidence to support their claims.

“We must also support the MACC’s initiative to introduce the corruptionfree pledge as it would help ensure that every party who signs on would be more ethical and disciplined in carrying out their duties.

“As the brainchild of Dzulkif li himself, the pledge emphasises the oath voluntarily taken by an organisation’s leadership and members to hold each of them accountable and responsible and to deter them from engaging in any form of corruption and misconduct throughout their tenure,” he said.

He said this corruption-free pledge should not only involve public servants but also workers in the private sector.

“As such, I hope more private corporations would come forward and voluntarily sign the pledge. We cannot be unconcerned and complacent about corruption because it attacks not only the economic and social fabric of society but also the moral foundations of order.

“We must ensure that every Malaysian uphold integrity and make it their way of life,” Lee said.