MACC to monitor Johor revenue officials

Spreading awareness: Azmi posing for a photograph with a member of the public during his walkabout at the Johor Baru CIQ complex.

JOHOR BARU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will monitor government officers involved in revenue generation to check on corrupt practices in Johor.

The officers include those from the state land offices, forestry department and local government.

Johor MACC director Datuk Azmi Alias said the commission would come down hard on civil servants in cahoots with contractors making fraudulent claims.

“This includes signing off projects which do not exist or those partially completed for kickbacks from contractors, and making false travel or overtime claims,” he told The Star.

On Monday, the MACC’s Gerakan Revolusi Anti-Rasuah (Gerah) anti-graft campaign was launched at several transportation hubs statewide.

Earlier this week, Azmi called on government officials in Segamat and Labis to refrain from corrupt practices.

“Since 2015, there have been at least 12 cases against officials from the Segamat district office, and the land and local council offices of Segamat and Labis,” he said at a Corruption-Free Pledge event in Segamat.

He said among the allegations were enforcement against unlicensed premises, tender selection and changing land ownership.

During Monday’s launching, Azmi and his team visited the Johor Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex, bus stations in Segamat and Batu Pahat, Tanjung Belungkor ferry terminal and the Kluang railway station. They distributed leaflets and informed the public about the objectives behind Gerah.

Also launched was the month-long 3J (Jangan Hulur, Jangan Kawtim, Jangan Settle (Don’t Give and Don’t Settle) campaign aimed at bringing the fight against corruption to more people.

Star Media Group is among the media partners of 3J.

“We have received a lot of positive feedback from people who support our efforts to rid corruption throughout the state,” said Azmi, adding that he would continue with such engagements on a monthly basis.

He said MACC arrested 127 people last year, compared to 108 in 2015, in the state.

“In the first four months of this year, the Johor MACC has arrested 48 people.”

In Petaling Jaya, MACC deputy chief commissioner (prevention) Datuk Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil said although attractive remuneration has been offered for whistle-blowers, only 162 civil servants made reports on corruption from 2011 to 2016.

“We hope more people will step up and make reports on corruption rather than posting comments on social media.

“We have two Acts that can protect you if you report any misuse of power or corruption around you; namely the Witness Protection Act 2009 and Whistle Blower Protection Act 2010.

“So, you don’t have to worry about coming out to report the crime,” he said during the signing of Ikrar Bebas Rasuah (IBR) or Corruption-Free Pledge by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency here yesterday.