PETALING JAYA: The alarming number of cases of young people involved in corruption-related offences has prompted watchdogs and civil society groups to call for stronger legal deterrence and early anti-corruption education.
Transparency International Malaysia president Dr Muhammad Mohan said the authorities could introduce laws such as the Public Procurement Act and Freedom of Information Act to ensure transparency and accountability in the public service.
“When under the law, public officials are obliged to provide answers, (and) we are going to see real change happening,” he said when contacted yesterday.
On Dec 15, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said that the level of corruption among the youth in the country is at an alarming level, as shown by data over the last five years.
MACC senior director (Special Operations Division), Datuk Azmi Kamaruzaman had said statistics collated from 2000 showed that some 2,337 Malaysians between the ages of 16 and 40 have been arrested for various offences linked to corruption.
Muhammad said it is vital to leverage the latest technology and innovation to address the issue.
He also suggested integrating anti-corruption and integrity education at primary and secondary schools.
Malaysian Corruption Watch president Jais Abdul Karim said the figures shared by MACC were alarming, as they highlight the growing involvement of youth in corruption-related offences.
“This trend undermines efforts to cultivate a culture of integrity and can have far-reaching consequences on governance, the economy, and societal values,” he said.
Jais said it was also good to implement mechanisms like whistleblower protection and grievance redressal systems that could help prevent issues related to corruption.
Himpunan Advokasi Rakyat Malaysia vice-chairman Zuren Zulaikha described the culture of corruption, breach of trust and money laundering as the most dangerous “cancers” inflicting the country.
“One of the ways to combat corruption is to make them accountable for wrongdoings,” she said.Aizat Kamaruddin, a member of the Youth Parliament of Malaysia, said corruption is not just a legal or financial issue but also a moral failure that jeopardises trust in institutions.
“We need to strike at the very root of the problem, which is to address the lack of awareness of our youth and the systemic loopholes that plague our country’s administration,” he said.
