MACC deputy chief commissioner (prevention) Datuk Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil MACC reveals 'worrying statistics'
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 50% of those arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in the past three years were aged below 40.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (prevention) Datuk Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil expressed concern over the finding and said it as an “alarming situation”.
Of the 2,329 people arrested since 2014, 1,267 were below 40.
“People in this age group are supposed to be nation’s backbone, who will shape the future of our country,” he said in his keynote speech at a public forum organised by the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) yesterday.
Shamshun said about 982 investigation papers were opened, 932 people were detained and 258 charged by the anti-graft body last year.
“MACC plans to engage with youths this year. The Gen-Y group always finds an easy way. We have to guide them from young and create awareness of what is happening around them,” he said.
On MACC seeking more allocation, Shamshun said the extra funds were for them to implement what they planned for the year.
“We need more whistle-blowers who can voluntarily come forward to report or provide information on corruption activities.”
He said such individuals will be protected under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, that shields informants from action. – by Ashwin Kumar thesun
Weeding out graft among youths
Datuk Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil (pic) told reporters that the commissions’ plan for 2017 would be to focus on Government agencies, as well as arresting the growing trend of corruption among youths.
Responding to questions on cuts to the MACC’s budget, he said it was an issue faced by all agencies, though the commission had appealed for more funding to carry out its plans.
“We can’t do everything at once because of (MACC’s) strength and budget. But my concern is also about how many of those arrested are under 40 years old,” said Shamshun Baharin, adding that 54% of those arrested (1,267 of 2,329 cases) were under 40.
He attributed the trend to the generation’s environment and wanting to take shortcuts, which MACC aimed to combat with the establishment of a corruption prevention secretariat in higher learning institutions.
During his keynote address at the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) forum titled ‘Supporting the MACC in the fight against corruption’, Shamshun Baharin said 2016 had been a successful year for the commission.
He revealed that arrest numbers had gone up from 841 (2015) to 932 (2016), of which 258 suspects had been brought to court, as of Dec 15 last year.
At the event, IDEAS CEO Wan Saiful Wan Jan launched a signature drive under its #NyahKorupsi campaign, to support the MACC.
“Our goal is to have more Malaysians come out in support of the MACC because it has made more investigations and arrests of corrupt top officials. There may be a time when they will need our help,” he said.
He said IDEAS would collect as many signatures as possible before delivering it to MACC chief commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad.
To sign the petition, visit www.change.org/p/sokong-sprm-perangi-rasuah.
The other forum panellist included Transparency International Malaysia president Datuk Akbar Satar, Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism executive director Cynthia Gabriel, Friends of Kota Damansara chairman Jeffrey Phang and Sinar Project co-founder Khairil Yusof. - By Qishin Tariq The Star/ANN
Just you wait, MACC boss warns corrupt politicians
MACC chief commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad,PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has warned corrupt politicians to “be careful”.
Its chief commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad, in a live television interview yesterday, said he had previously stated that he would take action on anyone involved in corrupt practices, including “politicians of any rank”.
“On my 100th day as MACC chief, I said that I will not be stopped from taking action against politicians.
“Tonight, I would like to say to corrupt politicians, just you wait (tunggulah),” he said.
Dzulkifli added that the MACC was not worried about “protected individuals” who committed systemic corruption.
“There is no issue about them being protected, I can guarantee that all those who commit corruption will not be left alone. I will take action against them without fear or favour,” he added.
But Dzulkifli admitted that the MACC had its limitations in terms of logistics.
“There are only 2,900 members and officers in the whole of the MACC, of which only 900 carry out legal enforcement as others are in the prevention and education departments, among others.
“Now if you look at the civil service alone, there are 1.6 million of them, so that is one.
“Besides that, is budget, that has been cut, and it is at its lowest since 2013,” he said.
Dzulkifli, however, added that he would not allow the limitations to stop the anti-graft body from carrying out its duties.
The Astro Awani interview is Dzulkifl’s first ever live interview since his appointment in July last year.
Dzulkifli, a veteran in the civil service, was the head of the National Revenue Recovery Enforcement Team of the Attorney-General’s Chambers before being appointed chief commissioner.
He took over from Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, and his tenure is until July 31, 2021.
- By D. Kanyakumari The Star/ANN
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