Corruption level worrying but 'not yet a pandemic': Malaysian top graft buster
15 April, 2021
Corruption in Malaysia reaches a worrying level although the problem has yet to become a pandemic, its anti-graft chief said.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki was giving an answer to a question during an interview with TVAlhijrah on Wednesday (Apr 14) on whether the increasing number of detentions and exposes indicated the severe nature of the corruption situation.
“We cannot say that it is extremely bad. But I can say, as someone in the type of fighting corruption for years, it really is at a stage that worries myself. Nonetheless it is not yet a pandemic,” he said.
“Most likely the community feels that it has gotten serious in fact it is a pandemic, but if we consider it from another point of view, it is the knowing of the general public that contributed to the exposes on the countless issues now."
He added: “When there is no information from the public, and technological advancement now (that plays a part in) many corruption issues being surfaced, especially those relating to the authorities or public servants, these issues won’t be exposed.”
Mr Azam was appointed to the position in March this past year, following resignation of Ms Latheefa Koya on the heels of the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan administration. He has more than 30 years of experience in the anti-graft body.
Through the Wednesday interview, Mr Azam also said that there's been no political interference in high-profile corruption cases being investigated by the MACC.
“Since I became the chief commissioner, no. I can give assurance that there's been no interference, no instruction directed at me.
“But I don't deny there were questions. It is illogical for me to state there were no queries at all. I mix with ministers or other politicians, they ask (about the cases).
“But I am giving my assurance here that asking won't influence our decisions in investigations,” he said.
He added: “We will continue steadily to investigate the cases in fact it is up to the attorney-general to choose if they would like to charge the cases in court.”
There were several high-profile corruption cases recently. The other day, the MACC said it has crippled a "project tender cartel" that reportedly monopolised 354 tenders from several ministries and government agencies since 2014, involving projects worth RM3.8 billion (US$920 million).
Last month, MACC arrested a former bank president over an RM400 million loan for a non-existent project.
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