PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the judiciary have agreed to boost efficiency of existing court processes to ensure smoother case management and delivery of justice.
MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman said this was among initiatives by the commission and the judiciary to expedite the hearing and disposal of corruption cases.
The anti-graft agency chief said closer coordination between enforcement agencies and the courts is essential to improve corruption case proceedings, in line with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree for the country’s judicial system to be strengthened.
Abd Halim, who made a courtesy call on Chief Justice Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh yesterday, said their discussions also touched on broader anti-corruption efforts, particularly preventive education aimed at cultivating integrity and building public awareness from an early stage.
He said MACC will continue to implement preventive programmes through its community education division by bringing a more comprehensive anti-corruption message to school and university students.
Abd Halim said MACC will intensify educational outreach by expanding anti-corruption awareness initiatives to primary and secondary schools, with particular emphasis on correcting social perceptions that normalise corrupt practices.
At present, he said MACC has established the Anti-Corruption Student Volunteer Corps Cadets at university level, with Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin becoming the pioneer public university.
“Educational efforts will be emphasised to ensure the prevention message does not stop after schooling ends,” he said.
Abd Halim said MACC will shift its focus from conventional methods such as poster distribution and lectures to dialogue sessions and interactive forums that would allow direct engagement between its officers and the public.
“I strongly encourage dialogue sessions so that we can obtain direct input from the people.
“We want to understand public expectations of MACC so that the feedback can be used to improve the existing system,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wan Ahmad Farid said corruption prevention education should begin in schools, adding that the setting up of MACC cadet units should be encouraged in the same manner as police and military cadets.
He said such initiatives could help instill an aversion to corruption from a young age, drawing inspiration from Japan’s education model that emphasises on integrity and courtesy.
“Currently, society views MACC as focusing on enforcement aspects, whereas extensive prevention efforts have also been implemented by the commission,” he added.
