KUCHING: A total of 70 investigation papers were opened by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) involving the corruption cases in public universities since 2014 until March 2017.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Dato Shamshun Baharin in efforts towards the realisation of the Vision 2020, the country needs a line of youths and students who have the integrity and are quality human capital.
“The importance of anti-corruption and integrity element among the public university (IPTA) can be reflected in the MACC statistics, which according to the statistics, a total of 70 investigation papers were opened in relation to corruption cases involving public universities since 2014 until March 2017, and in 2016, only 50 investigation papers were opened.
“In terms of arrest, a total of 23 arrests were made in the same period, while 18 arrests were also made in the year 2016,” said Shamsun in his speech when officiating at the Integrity Days 2017 held at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Kota Samarahan, yesterday.
He also noted that MACC statistics showed that 54 per cent (1,267) of people arrested by the MACC from the period of 2014 to 2016 were youths aged 40 and below.
This phenomenon, he said, is worrying because these people are the pillars of the country that will shape its future and direction.
“Therefore, it is important that Unimas as a highly potential university, should be strengthened in terms of its administration and delivery in order to cultivate the elements of integrity and anti-corruption among its citizens to preserve and guarantee their wellbeing,” said Shamsun.
He also pointed that this act by Unimas showed their commitment and sincerity in upholding the integrity pledge among its campus community in order to serve the country better.
“In my opinion, the signing the Corruption Free Pledge by Unimas leaders and its citizens clearly show the university community sincerity, commitment and desire to create a conducive working environment and free of corruption in order to serve the country better.
“This aspiration and awareness of the matter is commendable and should be emulated by the government agencies and also private organisations throughout the country, especially among the private higher learning institutions,” he said., adding this Corruption Free Pledge is actually unique and different from the Corporate Integrity Pledge (CIP) as it emphasises on the pledges and promises made by Unimas’ leaders and its citizens, to uphold the responsibility to be free and avoid getting involved in any corruption and abuse of power in carrying out their respective duties.
Also present were State MACC Director Dato’ Badrul Shah Norman, Unimas Vice Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi, and other distinguished guests.
