CYBERJAYA: Many people struggle to filter fake news from credible sources, making strong values and integrity more crucial than ever, said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.
Speaking at the MMU Integrity and Leadership Day 2025, Azam cautioned that the rapid growth of social media has overtaken the credibility of traditional, trusted outlets such as licensed television channels and print media.
"The main obstacle is that not everyone has the ability to differentiate between trusted and half-cooked or fake news.
"These social media contents can easily shape our views if we are unable to clarify their truthfulness," he said in his speech when officiating Integrity and Leadership Day 2025 at the Multimedia University (MMU) here on Wednesday (Sept 24).
He emphasised that in today’s complex world, leaders must not only be competent but also principled.
"Corruption and abuse of power must be rejected under all circumstances. They are insidious diseases that erode our institutions, betray the public trust, and ultimately cripple our nation’s progress," Azam said.
He praised MMU for becoming the only university in Malaysia to make Integrity and Leadership a compulsory subject, combining the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Course (KIAR) with leadership principles.
"MMU is not merely complying with a national mandate but is truly setting a new standard for higher education.
"This initiative reflects a deep understanding that integrity is not an abstract concept but the very foundation upon which effective and ethical leadership is built," Azam said, applauding the university’s proactive step.
He urged students to take the course seriously, stressing that integrity should not be treated as just another academic requirement.
"Your education in Integrity and Leadership is your armour against temptations. It is your shield.
"It will equip you with the moral fortitude to stand firm in your principles, to make difficult decisions with honesty and to lead by example," he said.
Calling on students to embrace values early, Azam said the aim was to nurture holistic graduates who are not only academically excellent but also responsible citizens and exemplary leaders.
"Be the leader who inspires trust and earns respect not through power, but through character. Be the generation that builds a more just, honest and prosperous Malaysia," he said.
Azam also encouraged students to join the Malaysia Corruption Watch (MCW), noting that the NGO has been active for nearly a decade in supporting anti-corruption efforts and promoting integrity while maintaining close cooperation with the MACC.
