IPOH: The public should refrain from passing judgment on individuals yet to be proven guilty, says Perak deputy mufti Datuk Zamri Hashim.
He said that investigations should be allowed to proceed without interference and the courts given the space to determine guilt or innocence.
"We believe the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) does not act without basis, but at the same time, those accused are not necessarily guilty.
"Give room to the investigating authorities and let the courts decide," he said after launching the state Mufti Department's Organisational Anti-Corruption Plan (OACP) and Anti-Corruption Pledge here on Monday (Feb 9).
Also present was Perak MACC director Datuk Ahmad Sabri Mohamed.
Zamri had been asked to comment on the remand of two individuals, including a freelance preacher, by Kedah MACC in an abuse of power investigation over the approval of RM600,000 in exchange for payments related to fundraising for an educational and dakwah institution.
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"We, as the public, should pray for what is best for Malaysia, that the country will be led by leaders who are free from corruption, and that this will influence the people to reject and despise corruption.
"This must begin from the top and be reflected at all levels," he added.
On today's launch, he said the OACP is in line with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2024-2028 as a moral and governance compass.
He added that 79 initiatives were planned and carried out in the first phase of the OACP implementation.
Moving into the second phase, the department has identified 25 more focused and high-impact initiatives.
He said the OACP was not developed in isolation, but jointly formulated with the Malaysian Institute of Integrity through three strategic workshops that served as platforms for consensus-building, idea exchange and credible evaluation.
"Eradicating corruption is the responsibility of everyone, including religious agencies.
"We will pursue this through approaches suitable for religious institutions, such as sermons and talks," he said.
