PUTRAJAYA, June 13 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will hold discussions with the Public Service Department (JPA) and Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN) Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali about a reporting mechanism for corruption and abuse of power by leaders in the public service.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the reporting mechanism must be refined as it involves many levels within a department.
“When we talk about reporting, it is not just about the department heads, but also supervisors … This mechanism must include how reporting can be done to the higher-ups or to the MACC,” he told the media when met after the launch of the book The Sin of Corruption: A Religious Perspective here today.
He said under Section 25 of the MACC Act 2009, it is mandatory to report corruption to the commission, and that not reporting any bribery offered to oneself or to any public officers is an offence and a potential criminal offence.
“It can lead to dismissal if found guilty. That is the law. However, in our current plan, we need to first discuss (the reporting mechanism) with JPA and the KSN,” he said.
On Monday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, at a gathering of Prime Minister’s Department staff, said there will be no promotions for department heads if misconduct by civil servants under their supervision is not reported.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said he wants a resolution on the promotion aspect to be made next week, with the method expected to be announced by the KSN and JPA director-general Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.
Meanwhile, Azam said the MACC welcomes Anwar’s suggestion that department heads who do not report corruption or misconduct occurring under their supervision should face action.
“The MACC welcomes this suggestion and we will first discuss with the JPA and the KSN to examine the internal methods or reporting mechanism,” he said.
— Bernama
