7,200 in Sabah register as friends of MACC
KENINGAU: A total of 7,200 people in Sabah have now registered as members of the Anti-Corruption Revolutionary Movement (Gerah) who are friends of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Disclosing this here yesterday, State MACC director Dato’ Sazali Sabli said Gerah had registered a total of 121,000 members during nationwide campaigns as of Wednesday.
“It is hoped they will be the backbone, eyes and ears of the MACC, especially in Sabah to channel any information or disseminate anti-corruption messages in the state,” he told reporters after launching the state-level International AntiCorruption Day Porgram here yesterday.
Sazali said the MACC would gather them, especially Gerah members, next year for more specific programs.
He said that the incentives given to this Gerah members, among others, were membership cards that enabled them to enjoy some facilities such as subscribers of Starbuck, a discount for holidaying with family members in Sunway Lagoon, Kuala Lumpur.
“There are several benefits or privileges given to Gerah members’ friends,” he added.
Sazali said the MACC was grateful to the administration of the state government headed by Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Haji Aman and cabinet ministers, including community leaders for cooperating with the MACC in an effort to combat corruption and abuse of power.
“To us, MACC would not be able to carry out the task entrusted to us without the support and cooperation of the people in the state,” he said.
Earlier in his speech at the event, Sazali said the aim of organizing the program was to bring the public closer to the MACC where the emphasis was to raise awareness and to achieve continuous support among the community to jointly fight corruption.
He said this year’s activities, in conjunction with the celebration with the theme, ‘Sehati Sejiwa Memerangi Rasuah,’ were children’s colouring competition, inter-secondary school speech competition and briefing session by MACC officials.
He said the state-level International Anti-Corruption Day Run on December 2 would be participated by the district office, government agencies and nongovernmental organizations.
“This is proof of the commitment shown by the people in the state by joining together to spread the anti-corruption message in our country,” he said.
Anis Famieza Jeffrei from SMK Keningau 2 was the champion of the school speech contest. The second and third placings went to Ismah Hanani Jaidi from SMK Apin-Apin and Fejulonika Felix from SMK Tulid respectively. They received the prizes from Assistant Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Haji Sairin Karno who also launched the state-level International Anti-Corruption Day Program yesterday.