FULL SUPPORT FOR MACC's NEW GRAF WAR

The Star

by farik zolkepli, rashvinjeet s. bedi, and rahimy rahim

4/1/2017

PETALING JAYA: The business community, industry players, civil servants and Bukit Aman will give their full cooperation to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in the war on graft focusing on the civil service.

“I have made it clear that corrupt or crooked police personnel will not be tolerated and firm action must be taken.

“The battle against corruption must be fought on all fronts and the police force is doing its part,” said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.

Internally, Bukit Aman was always proactive in weeding out crooked personnel and officers, through the Integrity and Standard Compliance Department, he added.

Khalid was commenting on MACC deputy chief commissioner Datuk Azam Baki’s declaration that the commission’s war on graft would focus on the civil service, especially the procurement and enforcement sides.

Congress of Unions of Employees in Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) lauded MACC’s war on graft involving civil servants, saying that it could boost the integrity of the service.

Its president Datuk Azih Muda said the move could also boost the country’s ratings at the international stage.

Azih hoped that MACC would also focus on preventive measures.

Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia secretary-general Datuk Low Kian Chuan said it was a timely move as there had been many reports of leakages, as noted in the Auditor-General’s report every year.

“We hope the MACC will take it seriously. The business community will cooperate and give their full support,” he said.

Malay Merchants and Entrepreneurs Association vice-president Datuk Naim Mohamad lauded the move, saying that MACC should also consider reviewing the procedures and processes of awarding big government projects.

“We should reduce human intervention and set specifications in order for it to be fully mechanised. Those who want to apply for tender should input their information on prepared templates,” said Naim.

He said a cashless system should be introduced to eradicate any form of abuse or leakages, especially in government projects.

“Authorities should have a better system to identify those involved in graft by monitoring any irregularities in officers’ financial status. This way, any discrepancies or abnormalities in income, spending or lifestyle, will be notified to the relevant authorities immediately,” he said.

Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce vice-president Kerk Loong Sing said stern action must be taken against those involved in mismanagement or had broken the law.

“Sometimes, action is not seen and as a result the problem will occur each year,” he said.