Give MACC full support in fight against corruption
THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) declaration that corruption is the country’s number one public enemy must be supported by all.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad’s argument that corruption is the country’s “public enemy number 1” makes sense and is convincing since corrupt enforcement officers and individuals have contributed to the wide spread of negative issues including drugs, illegal immigrants, smuggling, leakage of national revenue, border issues, financial crimes, gambling and prostitution.
The fight against corruption must go beyond enforcement, and we should discard the kawtim culture of people trying to settle their problems by offering bribes.
However, the MACC’s efforts must also bear fruit, and the rakyat want to see that it will lead to successful prosecution of the culprits. What is equally important is to ensure that the punishment meted out will commensurate with the crime they committed.
We must commend the MACC’s ongoing aggressive effort to fight graft as it is in line with the public’s hope and aspiration to eradicate all forms of corruption in the country.
MACC must be given the fullest support by the Government, especially its law enforcement agencies, to help ensure that the war against corruption is effective and sustainable.
Only when government bodies are purged of corrupt personnel will their credibility be reinforced and public confidence strengthened.
From the reports on arrests made by the MACC, it appears that corruption in the public sector is serious and warrants stern action by the enforcement agencies. The all-out war against graft should also involve the private sector.
MACC’s continuous effort and action against those involved must be free from interference from all quarters and the agency must be given a free hand to act without fear or favour.
Our laws on corruption should also be reviewed in order to empower the MACC to act effectively since corruption is pervasive and affects almost every aspect of life.
MACC must also bring the fight against corruption to the ground and educate the people of its negative effects. The public must also be proactive and report to the agency if they have information on graft and power abuse, and provide evidence to support their claims.
We must also support the MACC’s initiative to introduce the corruption-free pledge as it would help ensure that every party who signs on would be more ethical and disciplined in carrying out their duties.
As the brainchild of Dzulkifli himself, the pledge emphasises the oath voluntarily taken by an organisation’s leadership and members to hold each of them accountable and responsible and to deter them from engaging in any form of corruption and misconduct throughout their tenure.
According to the MACC, the openness and accountability displayed by the leadership and staff in signing the corruption-free pledge also shows that combating corruption is a collective responsibility of all members of society.
This corruption-free pledge should not only involve public servants but also workers in the private sector. As such, I hope more private corporations would come forward and voluntarily sign the pledge.
We cannot be unconcerned and complacent about corruption because it attacks not only the economic and social fabric of society but also the moral foundations of order.
We must ensure that all Malaysians uphold integrity and make it their way of life. TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE Kuala Lumpur