Be vigilant against fake news, reject dishonesty, says anti-graft chief
CYBERJAYA: Many people struggle to filter fake news from credible sources, making strong values and integrity more crucial than ever, says Tan Sri Azam Baki.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner said the rapid growth of social media has overtaken the credibility of traditional and trusted outlets such as licensed television channels and print media.
“The main obstacle is not everyone has the ability to differentiate between trusted and half-cooked or fake news.
“This social media content can easily shape our views if we are unable to verify the truth,” he said in his speech when opening the Integrity and Leadership Day 2025 at the Multimedia University (MMU) here yesterday.
Azam said in today’s complex world, leaders must not only be competent but also principled.
“Corruption and abuse of power must be rejected under any circumstances. They are insidious diseases that erode our institutions, betray public trust and cripple our nation’s progress,” he said.
Azam praised MMU for being the only university in Malaysia to make Integrity and Leadership a compulsory subject, combining the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Course with leadership principles.
“MMU is not merely complying with a national mandate but is proactive in 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,” he said.
Azam urged students to take the course seriously, stressing that integrity should not be treated as just another academic requirement.
“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.
“Be the leader who inspires trust and earns respect not through power but through character,” he said.
