Implementation of protection act proves fruitful, says MACC

KUALA LUMPUR: The implementation of the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 (Act 711) and Witness Protection Act 2009 (Act 696) has shown positive impact, says the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Agency Integrity Management Division director Norazlan Mohd Razali said there was now increased awareness among the public to report offers of bribes to the MACC.

“People are confident of making a report as protection is given under the law to persons who lodge a report on corruption matters through the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 (Act 711) and Witness Protection Act 2009 (Act 696),” he said at a forum on ‘Business and AntiCorruption in Asean’ organised by the Asean CSR Network here yesterday.

Last year, MACC arrested 339 persons from the private sector and 170 persons from the public sector.

In 2012, 413 persons from the private sector and 288 persons from the public sector were arrested.

Norazlan said as Malaysia embarked on a more global environment and was moving towards the formation of an integrated Asean Community in 2015, businesses have more needs now than ever to have a strong internal control as well as governance which complied with international standards and various foreign legislations.

Businesses should also have sufficient internal auditing controls to assist in the prevention and detection of corruption.

The introduction of the Corporate Integrity Pledge (CIP) would likely create an effective system to increase integrity in the Malaysian corporate sector, through practicing good governance, including anti-corruption measures, he said. — Bernama