74 IPs linked to graft involving higher learning institutes since 2015
KOTA SAMARAHAN: The Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission ( MACC) has opened a total of 74 investigation papers ( IPs) relating to corruption involving institutions of higher learning ( IPTs) between 2015 and March this year.
MACC deputy chief commissioner ( prevention) Dato Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil, in disclosing the data, said out of 74 investigation papers, 50 were opened in 2016 alone.
“The number of arrests between 2015 and March 2018 is 37 people and out of that, 23 were arrested in 2016,” he said in his speech during Universiti Malaysia Sarawak ( Unimas)’s Integrity Day ( HIU) 2018 yesterday.
New chairman of Unimas board of directors Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Sulong Matjeraie officiated at the event in Arena Gemilang DeTar Putra Unimas here yesterday.
According to Shamshun Baharin, 54 per cent of the 1,267 individuals arrested by MACC between 2014 and 2016 were those below the age of 40.
“This is worrisome because these are among the age group of people who one day, will become our human capital to continue shaping our country and steer us to the right direction.
“It is therefore important that Unimas, as a IPT that has a huge potential of producing human capital, strengthens its administration and its service delivery by instilling the notion of integrity and anti- corruption in its staff.”
He further disclosed that the research conducted by MACC found that 16 per cent of students or youths in the country were willing to accept bribes and also abuse their position and power to approve certain applications or projects – if they held such power and position.
He added the 2016 research also showed 18 per cent of this group was also willing to give bribes so that no action would be taken against them.
Shamshun Baharin also expressed his worry that the number of students or youths giving information on corruption and abuse of power had declined from 74.9 per cent in 2014, to 74.1 per cent in 2015, and 66.3 per cent in 2016.
“As such, MACC has done a lot under our community educational division unit to run various awareness programmes for students and youths to inculcate in themselves the culture of hating and disliking corruption and abuse of power,” he said.
Earlier, Unimas vice-chancelllor Prof Dato Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi said he regarded HUI 2018 as a catalyst for all Unimas citizens to make it a personal culture to have high form of integrity in carrying out their responsibilities.
“With HUI 2018, we also want to instil in all individuals – be they our staff, civil servants, students and even the surrounding community – the awareness of the impact of corruption.”
MACC Sarawak director Razim Mohd Noor and Unimas registrar Henry Tening Sengeng were also present at the event.