Nur Jazlan: Use fear to drive home anti-graft message

PUTRAJAYA: Creating a working environment which puts the fear of being audited or investigated into staff can help in the fight against the abuse of power and corruption, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.

Such dread, he said, would ensure that staff go by the book, follow procedures, embrace good work culture and practise high integrity while in office – regardless if they were working with the Government or private sector.

Relating his experience as the Public Accounts Committee chairman, Nur Jazlan said officials who had been called to face the panel would be worried.

“If one can fear being audited, one should be more scared to be investigated for misappropriation and corruption.

“I hope this will be the environment in both public and private offices,” he said during the signing of the corruptionfree pledge by the National Registration Department here yesterday.

Corruption, said Nur Jazlan, knew “no position, race or gender”, adding that while the perception might be that politicians and top government officers were on the take, the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) had in fact exposed several cases involving upper corporate management.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (management and professionalism) Datuk Jamidan Abdullah vowed to investigate the allegations professionally rather go on a “witch hunt” and find fault with people.

“We are not here to victimise people. We have reasons to investigate and we go into this with our conscience clear – not to frame people,” he said.

Jamidan said having served the commission for 30 years, he and his colleagues had zero tolerance for corruption and power abuse and would act against anyone.

“I have even charged the child of my best friend,” he said without mentioning the name or elaborating on the case.