Half of graft cases involve civil servants under 40

PUTRAJAYA: Half of Malaysian government officers found guilty of graft are under the age of 40, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) revealed yesterday.

Its Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil said the high number of corruption cases among junior civil servants was due to their demanding lifestyle.

“Some of our cases have shown that junior government officers and clerks can afford to buy the latest iPhone models and drive expensive cars.

“This is despite their meagre salaries under the government pay scale, that does not match their lifestyle,” he said when speaking during a joint forum with the Rural and Regional Development Ministry here yesterday.

MACC statistics between 2014 and 2016 revealed that out of the 2,329 arrests made for graft, 54% or 1,267 people, were aged 40 and below.

Civil servants comprised half of the 1,267 people nabbed.

MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner Datuk Azam Baki said the anti-graft body has set a three-year target to eradicate corruption in the public sector.

“The level of corruption in the country is getting serious based on our statistics. From the 665 investigation papers filed against government officers last year, we have detained 549 civil servants for graft as of Feb 2017.

“This is due to MACC adopting a more aggressive stance in combating graft among civil servants since last August,” he added.

The joint forum was also attended by Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

In an effort to eradicate corruption, Ismail Sabri said 80% of officers in his ministry, especially those holding sensitive posts, have been put on rotation.

“Those in sensitive posts such as that of director-general, undersecretary for Finance, Development and Facilities, for instance, will be rotated after they have served a maximum of six years.

“This is part of our pledge to uphold integrity in the ministry,” he said.