Syed Saddiq: Corruption not the butt of jokes
MUAR: Do not make the act of bribery as the butt of jokes but instead lodge a report immediately to the relevant authorities if such activities occur in one’s place, said Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
He said the community should cultivate a new culture to view corruption as serious and negatively impact not only the youths but also the country.
“Corruption should be viewed as serious and whatever type of bribes even as little as RM5 or up to billions of ringgit is still considered as a bribery and not the butt of jokes,” he told reporters after the state-level Inland Revenue Board’s social responsibility programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Parit 5 here yesterday.
Also present were LHDN Compliance deputy chief executive officer Abdul Manap Dim, Johor LHDN director Mohd Ramli A. Wahid and Bukit Naning assemblyman Md Ysahrudin Kusni.
On Saturday Deputy Prime Minister Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said 2,238 persons or 55.2 per cent of corruption related offenders comprised youths for the period between 2013 and May this year.
Dr Wan Azizah said the matter was alarming as this particular group was the country’s future leaders.
Syed Saddiq, who is also Muar MP, said the ministry had outlined three proposals to combat corruption and to prevent it from becoming rampant, especially among the youths such as enhancing further the role of the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission ( MACC). “Also undertaking amendments to the laws, including the segregation of power and political interference as well as extensive coverage on corruption cases,” he said.
Earlier 30 students from the underprivileged received contributions in the form of eye glasses while four schools in Muar parliamentary constituency also received teaching aids.
Meanwhile commenting on a 28- second video that went viral showing Syed Saddiq picking up rubbish left by football fans during the final of the FA Cup competition at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium last night, he said it was not planned.
He said the act was done spontaneously, hoping it would become the practice of supporters while at the stadium.