PENANG: Of the 1,038 arrests made nationwide by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) over the past three years, 568 involved junior officers, said its deputy director-general II Datuk Ahmad Said Hamdan.
“These junior officers, aged 40 and below, were mostly from the enforcement units of the government agencies. They had succumbed to corruption because of peer influence and the desire to get rich quick.
“This is a cause for concern. The agency has taken steps by holding seminars, talks and exhibitions aimed at educating officers on the evils of corruption,” he said at a talk with media representatives yesterday.
Ahmad Said added that the problem must be nipped in the bud through more effective anti-corruption programmes to maintain the security and the good name of the country..
State ACA director Abu Kassim Mohamed said the public must be made aware that giving bribes to government officers was a serious offence under the law.
“Corruption can be reduced by at least 50% if the public refrained from giving bribes. They must be made to know that giving a bribe is as bad as receiving one.
“Section 17 of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997 will be actively enforced in the bid to fight corruption. Anybody who fails to inform on any gratification or promises made shall be liable to a maximum fine of RM100,000 or 10 years’ jail,” he said.
Abu Kassim said the public must not be afraid to come forward to report any corrupt practices as their identity would be safeguarded.
“If they feel uncomfortable coming to our office, they can make an appointment to meet our officers. They can also write to us or call our toll-free hotline at 1-800-888-844,” he said.
