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PUTRAJAYA: Only 0.01 percent of the 1.6 million public officials are brave enough to report corrupt practices in their respective departments and agencies, said the Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Datuk Seri Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil (pix).
He said the figure remains low, despite the various incentives given to them.
Based on MACC data, he said, only 343 officials came forward to provide information on corrupt practices between 2012 and last year.
“Public officials have to understand that it is a crime for them to accept bribes and they must report if it is offered, and action can be taken.
“By doing so, they (public officials) can help prevent those dealing with public officials from requesting favors and privileges, such as obtaining approvals for applications, without going through proper regulatory procedures.
“We want this to be a culture among public servants, that is, to present complaints about any corrupt practice, since this will eliminate the civil service of corruption and abuse of power,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview at the MACC office here Recently.
Shamshun Baharin cited a letter issued by the Office of the Chief Secretary of the Government in 2011 on guidelines for the recognition of public officials who report bribery, stating that public officials who do so would receive the same amount of bribes offered. as an incentive.
He said the MACC disbursed around RM600,000 as an incentive to 343 public officials until the end of last year for filing reports on corruption in their departments and agencies.
He said that it is the duty of public officials to report bribery transactions and that those who fail to do so could face action under Section 25 of the MACC Act of 2009, which establishes a fine of up to RM 100,000 or a prison term that do not exceed 10 years or both, if convicted.
It said that the first case in which the law was applied involved five employees of the Ministry of Finance who were fined between RM1,500 and RM2,000 by the Kuala Lumpur Court of Sessions on December 2.
“Not reporting bribery transactions is also subject to action, there is a law of this type and this is to open the eyes of public officials and the public so that they are more sensitive and report corruption cases that occur around them.” added.
He expressed the need for departments and agencies to play a role in providing support and protection to staff or officials who report corruption to build a corruption-free society.
It ensured that MACC would protect those who provide information on corruption as provided in the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 and the Witness Protection Act 2009. – Called
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