Many expats and Malaysian citizens alike bemoan the problems that stem from corruption. Though it’s indeed a difficult problem to fight, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is doing just that, and the recently appointed new Chief Commissioner, Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad, shares here his thoughts on the ongoing effort to combat graft in Malaysia.

Corruption is indeed an insidious threat, not only to national security and the country’s immediate financial position, but also to the country’s long-term economic and social development and moral fabric.

Corruption poses a serious threat to the very effort of nation building. It inflates the government’s expenditure and undermines government’s ability to undertake public services and reduces foreign investment since it tarnishes a country’s image and establishes a situation of uncertainty, favouritism, and opacity. Meaningful development efforts by governments, too, have been seriously hampered and undermined due to the debilitating effects of corruption.

Some may say that the roots of corruption run deep, for the scourge is embedded in our culture. At times it has even been portrayed that the effects of corruption has even been seen as too entrenched, too widespread, just too subsuming to knock down and eradicate. So the question that begs an answer is, “Should we give up?”

Our response would be a firm and loud “NO!” The issue is not whether corruption should be fought – of course it should – but rather the focus on the manner in how we should address and fight it.

Fighting the good fight

Since the formation of the AntiCorruption Agency (ACA) as far back as 49 years ago and its rebirth as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in 2009, it hasmade commendable efforts and achieved extensive successes in its cause to eliminate corruption and corrupt practices in Malaysia.

The MACC is proud to be in the forefront to lead the fight against corruption in Malaysia and there has not been a day that the MACC has surrendered and abandoned its noble efforts.

In our journey towards 50 years of MACC’s establishment, I have outlined certain strategies and targets to ensure that we remain strong in our fight against corruption. Our main and immediate focus now is to ensure that the public service is clean and free from corrupt practices.We are also drawing a deeper attention towards monitoring the local councils, too, as well as the banking and financial sector.

These are critical areas which require our immediate attention to ensure that the welfare and interests of the people are looked after. As can be seen, there has been a growing momentum around this agenda since I first took office as the Chief Commissioner of MACC in August 2016. As a result of this, I am happy to say that public acceptance of the MACC has grown and the people are eager to lend their support knowing that MACC makes them a priority and ensure that their concerns are being heard.

Recently, the MACC has also been receiving positive feedback from the civil society as well as from NGOs. I hope that this trust and support would continue and serve as a form of an encouragement to my officers in the MACC to continue their outstanding and exceptional work.

It takes a village

In our effort to bring new light to the image of MACC, I have also emphasized to my officers the importance of MACC to be seen as a more inclusive and approachable organization, one which is accessible to the people. Our presence must be constantly felt on the ground where the situation demands it, so that we could create an atmosphere of being watched and fear amongst the corrupt.

Our focus would be to concentrate on strategic locations involving public offices and administration where the public is normally engaged with their daily routine transactions. Our presence and visibility in these locations would make a difference. It also opens up new avenues for the people to immediately engage with us and share their complaints and observations.

But apart from the strategies above, we still need to do more – and domore together. Conducting and increasing law enforcement and prevention efforts are only some of the many components that we need to emphasize on if we are to seriously combat corruption. Increasing programs on education, prevention, public awareness, and public participation should also be amplified and intensified. Tackling corruption comprehensively is the responsibility of all of us and that includes the civil society, business community, government leaders and citizens. Only together we canmake a difference.

No corruption: Taking a stand

Though we may not be able to completely eradicate corruption by tomorrow, we must nevertheless ensure that we do take the crucial steps towards that journey. And I firmly believe that, with the right strategies and effort, combined with the fullest and undivided support from the people, we can together make that change a possibility and turn back the tide of corruption. As a country, Malaysia cannot afford to overlook the impact of corruption; we must move fast and we must move in unity to fight corruption or the results will be disastrous.

On my part, I will assure you that the MACC will continue in its tireless effort and struggle in combating corruption and corrupt practices as its top priority.

We will step up the level of our commitment to the agenda to take action in preventing corruption and to ensure it does not fester in our government institutions, businesses, and communities. We will seek to uncover corruption wherever it exists, and to pursue and punish those who perpetrate, facilitate, or are complicit in it. We will also commit to make it easier for the people to report suspected acts of corruption and to support communities that have suffered from it.

I believe the MACC will be ready to face the many challenges that it faces. I am confident that the MACC will continue to remain relevant and move forward with new strength and vigour, highly committed and revitalized to continue in our efforts to combat corruption in Malaysia.

Channels for reporting corruption

Website: sprm.gov.my
Hotline: 1800 88 6000
Email: [email protected]
SMS: +6019 6000 696
Fax: +603 8889 4329
Walk in / Write in: MACC Headquarters, Block D6, Complex D, Federal Government Administrative Centre, P.O. Box 6000, 62007, Putrajaya

This article was originally published in The Expat magazine (November 2016) which is available online or in print via a free subscription.