A criminologist urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to take the lead in improving the nation’s standing in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI).
And it can start by putting its house in order and working on regaining the trust of the people.
Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy, an honorary associate professor (criminology) at the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, added that anti-graft pledges and one-off events organised by the commission were insufficient to tackle corruption.
Malaysia dropped five spots in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2021 – to 62 out of 180 countries in terms of public sector corruption. The country scored 48 out of 100 points in the index. In 2020, Malaysia scored 51 points.
Responding to the drop in ranking, MACC yesterday urged all parties to continue its fight against graft, adding that the nation must have the political will to fight the scourge. It also said that the agency was constrained by its jurisdiction.
“While the perception is against society at large, MACC’s role in combating corruption is crucial,” said Sundramoorthy.
“MACC can start (improving the ranking) by improving itself and putting its own house in order.
“MACC is the leading law enforcement agency. People, the society will play their roles, but as the lead agency, MACC must ensure that its programmes and enforcement activities are truly effective. It must accept the fact that our ranking has dropped, and be accountable for it.”
Recently, several MACC officers made headlines for the wrong reasons. In September 2021, three of its senior officers were detained to assist in investigations into allegations of abuse of power and misconduct in the case of a former head of department at the commission.
Last month, police nabbed three MACC officers who were allegedly involved in a gang robbery in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.
Earlier this month, a senior MACC enforcer was charged with misappropriating US$6.94 million seized by the anti-graft body four years ago.
Its chief commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki was also thrust into the spotlight following controversy over the purchase of shares in a public-listed company. The episode led to hundreds of protestors taking to the streets in Kuala Lumpur last Saturday, demanding for Azam to step down.
Sundramoorthy said it was important for children to be taught about ethics and integrity.
“Go back and educate the young … This education process must start from Standard Three (nine years old) onwards.
“Those one-off ‘public relations’ programmes will not work. We don’t need that ‘red carpet’ approach. What we need are proper, comprehensive modules that can be used for years to come, to instil the core values of ethics and integrity in our young.
“Enough of signing of pledges … At the most, they are just symbolic. Are they meaningful or impactful? I doubt it.”
He said it was equally important for the commission to be people-oriented and for whistleblowers not to fear the organisation.
“If you don’t reach out to people, people won’t come to you. And you wonder why the commission has a perception problem.
“We have sufficient laws to deal with misconduct and wrongdoings. We don’t need any more laws. What’s the point of having laws if they are not implemented well?”
He insisted that MACC embark on an “aggressive campaign” to address the concerns of the public and to regain their confidence.
“Many look at anti-corruption bodies in Hong Kong, Singapore or Sweden as a model to emulate. MACC has a rich history since its days as the Anti-Corruption Agency (as it was formerly known).
“There’s nothing extraordinary about what is being done in Hong Kong, Singapore and Sweden. The enforcement bodies there are doing what they are supposed to do, according to their laws. They have the full confidence of the public.
“They are simply fulfilling their mandate to the people. Our enforcement agencies should do the same.”
