KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia is expected to lose between RM40 billion and RM60 billion every year due to corruption.
#RasuahBusters team leader Datuk Hussamuddin Yaacub said based on the Global Financial Integrity Report 2017, the country has lost a whopping RM1.8 trillion between 2005 and 2014, partly due to corrupt practices that have resulted in illicit financial flows.
Hussamuddin, who is also Kumpulan Karangkraf board of directors chairman, said this figure could have been utilised for public welfare and five sets of Budget 2020 that would benefit the public.
He said former auditor-general Tan Sri Ambrin Buang had once concluded that corruption and mismanagement resulted in up to 30% of Malaysia’s public projects losing their value.
“The country can save up to RM400 billion, if we pay 30% less for goods and services provided by contractors and vendors in the 12th Malaysia Plan,” he said in a statement.
Formed earlier this year, #RasuahBusters is a campaign created by the people, for the people, with the aim of opposing and eliminating the practice of corruption and any forms of abuse of power in the country.
In conjunction with the International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9, the non-governmental organisation is ramping up activities for its anti-corruption campaign.
With the theme “When corruption wins, the country loses”, the group aims to bring the public together to fight graft.
It released a video entitled “Mak Kata Jangan” as a follow-up to its previous clip that had garnered an overwhelming response from the public when it was released in March.
Additionally, the team is set to present the #RasuahBusters Convoy, a series of tours nationwide that will take place from December 9 to April 1 next year.
The #RasuahBusters Convoy will introduce its #MalaysiaTanpaRasuah mission to the public, delivering anti-graft messages and educating people at the grassroots level on corruption.
“The people need to rise to stop corruption – otherwise, we, the people, are the ones who will suffer in the end,” Hussamuddin said.
He expressed hope to see proactive actions from the public, no matter how small, to say no to corruption.
“By eradicating corruption, this could save billions of ringgit, which could help improve the socio-economic status of the country,” said Hussamuddin, adding that he hopes the public can be on the lookout for corruption and have the courage to report any misconduct or corrupt practices.
International Anti-Corruption Day aims to educate people from all backgrounds on their rights and responsibilities in addressing graft. – The Vibes, November 29, 2021
