Do more to educate younger generation on evils of corruption — Lee

SIBU: A more concerted effort must be made to educate the young generation on the evils of corruption and how it can destroy an entire nation, Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation ( MCPF) senior vice- chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye suggested recently.

He said this is in addition to the steps taken to strengthen the Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission ( MACC).

“This is crucial as it was reported that 2,238 youths involved in graft were arrested from 2013 till May this year,” he said in a press statement Thursday.

He said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who revealed the information recently said the situation was worrying as they were the future leaders of the country.

“I believe that early exposure on corruption offences and their negative impact must be instilled among students in particular,” Lee said.

He noted that a study conducted by MACC on 1,000 university students found that 16 per cent were willing to accept a bribe and 18.5 per cent would accept a bribe if they did not have to face any action.

Another survey on Students’ Perception of Corruption carried out by the Integrity Institute of Malaysia ( IIM) revealed that one in every three local university students thinks that receiving a present in the form of money, goods or service in return for services rendered is not corruption.

Lee said the survey shows that 28.1 per cent of the respondents also thought that it was not an offence for them to take company- owned properties or items, including pen drives, printer ink or papers for personal use.

At the same time, 37.3 per cent of the respondents assumed that submitting claims for fullysponsored outstation duties was not wrong.

“The government should look into the possibility of introducing anti- corruption subject in school. It should be included in the school syllabus such as the Islamic Education and Moral Education subjects. If necessary, we should introduce a new curriculum in schools to allow students to learn about the negative effects of corruption and why it is unacceptable.”

Lee added: “This is timely since good values and integrity should be instilled among the younger generation while they are still at school.

“It can help develop a culture of honesty and trust and become a way of life for our future leaders.

“Efforts by the nation’s top leadership to set the best example in fighting corruption are laudable and reassuring,” he said, adding all quarters and segments of the Malaysian society must do their part to minimise and if possible, eliminate corruption in Malaysia.