KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) efforts to prevent corruption is meaningless if there is misconduct among its officers, Perak’s Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk) said today.
In its sermon today, JAIPk said the lack of seriousness in enforcement, investigation and punishment would only increase public distrust.
“What more when the MACC’s image and reputation are also tarnished as of late, with complaints and reports of misconduct made against staff in the commission.”
The state sermon added that there needs to be a strict and thorough solution to curb and eradicate dirty dealings.
It also called on all parties, including leaders, media practitioners and the society, to take bold measures so that a “jihad” to fight corruption can take place.
“This is to ensure that the country is prosperous and the people can live in peace again.”
Earlier in the sermon, it said that concerns over breach of trust and corruption are increasingly being voiced as the people are frustrated with the country’s determination in combating corruption.
It said that corruption, which is seen to be on the rise, is affecting investor confidence which results in less job opportunities and an increase in unemployment rate.
“As a result, the people are suffering even more. Now, there are calls for the country to impose death penalty on the perpetrators.”
However, it said that the implementation of death penalty is not the solution, if the sentence only remains on paper.
This comes after MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki claimed innocence during a press conference held on Wednesday, saying the allegations against him were lies and done to tarnish his reputation.
Additionally, the Securities Commission said it would call in all parties involved in the episode to seek an explanation into what had transpired.
Azam had also served a Letter of Demand to investigative journalist Lalitha Kunaratnam, whose reports alleging his abuses were published on the Independent News Service site.
Lalitha’s reports on INS titled Business Ties Among MACC Leadership: How Deep Does It Go? is a two-part series detailing Azam’s alleged abuses, and his supposed ties and ownership deals within several public-listed companies. – The Vibes, January 7, 2022
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