‘MACC gaining positive public perception’
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian AntiCorruption Commision (MACC) was lauded yesterday by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for bringing both “ikan bilis” (small fry) and “paus” (whales) to face justice.
Ahmad Zahid congratulated the commission for ramping up its efforts and bringing more perpetrators to book.
“I would like to congratulate MACC for stepping up its efforts and changing the public’s perception about it. Before this the public had a perception that MACC only went after ‘ikan bilis’ (small fry). Maybe the public thinks the net used for ‘paus’ (whales) was too fragile,” Ahmad Zahid said at the Immigration Department’s Corruption Free-Pledge ceremony yesterday.
However, with more top officers who were caught for corruption taken to court, this perception is changing.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the home minister, added that it was no easy feat to change the public’s perception.
“For example, despite the recognition by an international body and the reduction of the country’s crime index by some 47%, the police still face negative public perception. Although the index has improved, it is very difficult to change public perception,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid had announced last month that Malaysian police were rated among the best in Asean by an international body.
He, however, did not provide details on which body had provided the index.
Transparency International Malaysia in a recent report said 62% of Malaysians feel that the government is handling the fight against corruption badly.