Govt making aggressive moves to curb bribery

PUTRAJAYA: The Government is aggressively improving its standard operating procedures (SOPs) as well as its online services to curb bri­bery.

Public Service director-general Tan Sri Mohamad Zabidi Zainal said solid SOPs and smooth-flowing online services would minimise the need for “face-to-face” situations.

He said with fewer or totally no “face-to-face” situations, there would be less opportunities for corruption.

“That is why we are constantly improving the processes and our online services to reduce face-to-face situations.

“Besides that, there are also numerous integrity strengthening programmes for the entire civil ser­vice,” he said after a motivational session with some 300 Public Service Department-sponsored graduates on career in the civil service here yesterday.

Mohamad Zabidi was asked on the recent arrest of Customs officers, including state directors by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Com­mission for corruption.

So far, 28 personnel have been charged with accepting bribes as an inducement not to take action over the smuggling of contraband items.

Mohamad Zabidi said it was not fair for the public to accuse the entire civil service as being corrupted.

“There are over 1.52 million personnel in the civil service and admittedly there are some, a very small group of them, who are a bit naughty.

“They have to be held accountable for their irresponsible acts,” he said.