PETALING JAYA: Preventive measures are just as important as law enforcement in fighting corruption, says Tan Sri Azam Baki (pic).
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner said MACC is empowered by the law to carry out preventive measures as well as enforcing the law with the vision of creating a corruption-free society.
“We need the support of all stakeholders to adopt zero tolerance towards corruption,” he said.
He added that the corporate liability provision came into force in June 2020.
“Under Section 17A of the MACC Act 2009, a commercial organisation could be prosecuted if any of its employees or associates commit corruption for the interest or advantage of the organisation.
“The company is liable if it fails to prove that it has taken adequate measures to prevent the occurrence of corrupt practices in their business dealings.
“This principle of this provision is not merely punitive, but it is designed to ensure that companies have taken adequate measures to prevent corruption within their organisations,” he said in his speech during the International Anti-Corruption Day 2022 forum yesterday.
He added that corporations and private companies are eligible to apply for tax deductions for the amount equal to the amount of expenses incurred for organising anti-corruption activities.
“This is an incentive for the corporate sector to collaborate with the MACC to conduct anti-corruption programmes as part of their corporate social responsibility,” he said.
The nationwide hybrid seminar was led by the Association of Certified Integrity Officers (AECIO) and had over 1,000 participants from more than 100 multinational and commercial companies based in Malaysia.
The panel discussed the provision of corporate liability as well as the offering of tax incentives through corruption-prevention activities.
Themed “United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) at 20: Uniting The World Against Corruption”, Azam said it has been 20 years since the UN General Assembly adopted the UNCAC.
“It also designated Dec 9 as an international anti-corruption day that is celebrated all over the world.
“Malaysia is proud to join the international community to commemorate this day. This is a recognition that the fight against corruption is not the job of one entity,” he said.
He added that tackling corruption is the right and responsibility of everyone.
“In Malaysia, the MACC applies a holistic approach using a three pronged strategy; enforcement; investigation and prosecution; and corruption prevention and community education,” he noted.
