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SYMPTOMS and practices of corruption among civil servants are seen to be no stranger in this country. Every day there is only news showing corruption involving civil servants. A handful of civil servants are reported to use their positions and ranks as an excuse to seek 'side money' and shamelessly live with corruption, in addition to being involved in the abuse of power.

Most recently, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) revealed the amount of leakages due to smuggling syndicate activities involving members of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Sepang cargo reached RM2 billion for the past three years.

MACC's latest disclosure opens a thousand and one questions for the public regarding the causes of corruption crimes even though the government has created various initiatives to curb this negative culture from continuing to spread. As a civil servant, news like this is very disappointing.

There are a lot of reports about the arrests and actions of MACC and other enforcement agencies against civil servants' acts of dishonesty. Based on MACC corruption arrest statistics released every year, around 74 civil servants were found to be involved in corrupt activities until last February.

In 2023, a total of 437 civil servants were arrested by MACC out of a total of 1,137 arrests made. In 2022, 323 total arrests involving civil servants were made out of 909 total arrests. Based on these MACC statistics, it can be seen the trend of increasing the number of arrests involving civil servants from 2022 to 2023.

Although the statistics of the arrests seem high, they involve only a few public servants which leads to a small percentage compared to the total number of public servants. Despite this, the dishonest behavior of a few civil servants tarnishes the name of the public service, thus damaging the image of Malaysia.

Malaysia has just improved its position in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023 as announced by Transparency International Malaysia (TI-Malaysia), which is an increase of four places, from 61 to 57 out of 180 countries, as well as improving its score from 47 to 50, which is an increase of three points after consecutive decline since 2019.

Although the CPI score increased by three points, the score is still not something to be proud of because it is still at a low level. According to the President of TI-Malaysia, Dr Muhammad Mohan, although the country's recovery in the CPI 2023 is good news, there are worrying trends that may affect Malaysia's position this year.

The trend of increasing corruption crimes involving civil servants is not due to the problem of lack of income, but rather because there is room and opportunity to get higher rewards. Corruption crimes that occur now are mostly planned, there are alliances and discussions for interests to make a profit.

Therefore, it is not surprising that corrupt activities could not be detected for many years. In addition, the opportunity to commit corruption occurs due to weaknesses in the internal control aspects of the organization itself, including work systems and procedures, as well as the lack of monitoring by superior officers, thus allowing subordinates to take advantage of corruption.

Strengthen efforts to strengthen governance

Based on this factor, the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim established the Special Cabinet Committee on National Governance (JKKTN) to replace the Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-corruption (JKKMAR) last year, with the aim of streamlining and strengthening efforts to strengthen governance in the government's administrative management system.

This committee was created to ensure that immediate, focused and more effective action can be taken in addressing issues of governance weaknesses that can cause leakages, waste and the risk of corruption, misappropriation and abuse of power.

The Prime Minister's directive is to ensure that ministries, departments and agencies including statutory bodies take effective action in dealing with weaknesses in governance, corruption and integrity.

In addition, the duty rotation system of civil servants, especially law enforcement agencies can reduce issues related to corruption. The rotation of duties among civil servants, especially sensitive positions in places that are 'corruption pits' will reduce the acceptance and offering of bribes.

This duty rotation method also needs to be accompanied by stricter enforcement of punitive actions against civil servant misconduct. If aspects of the internal control mechanism are strengthened, the next step is to educate individuals in this country to look at disgust and instill hatred towards acts of corruption.

In this regard, MACC is actively creating various initiatives to continuously raise awareness at every level of society starting from the school level up to the university. Among them, the Wira Anti-Corruption Program (WAR) is targeted, specifically for primary and secondary school students, while the Student Anti-Corruption Force (AMAR) is specifically for students of higher education institutions.

Not only that, the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Course (KIAR) was also implemented as a compulsory course in general subjects starting last year in all HEIs. It can be said that efforts to educate and provide early exposure related to the crime of corruption are carried out at all levels of education.

Apparently, the greatest challenge in dealing with the prevention of corruption is to get the support and continuous support of the community, especially civil servants in realizing the government's pure desire to combat the crime. Although various initiatives, plans and campaigns are set in motion, the symptoms of corruption are still around us.

Greed, lack of integrity and lack of faith will drive a person to be caught in the crime of corruption. Therefore, what is the outcome of this crime of corruption in Malaysia. Will the national agenda to place Malaysia in the 25th CPI position within the next 10 years be achieved.

This desire can only be realized through good cooperation between MACC and public and private agencies to uphold the national agenda of eradicating corruption in Malaysia.

Article By : Nur Farihah Mohd Fadullah Sahimi | Berita Harian

Source : Rencana Berita Harian

Date of Input: 30/04/2024 | Updated: 30/04/2024 | faiz_suparman