Source : https://www.sprm.gov.my/index.php?page_id=103&contentid=2946&cat=BKH&language=my

Based on statistics from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), a total of 85 youths between the ages of 17 and 24 have been arrested for various corruption offenses for the period from 2018 to 2022. According to MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention), Datuk Seri Norazlan Mohd Razali, from the number of 37 youths have been accused in court and 31 youths have completed the trial and been found guilty.

MACC has also previously revealed the willingness of students to give and receive bribes. The MACC's Anti-Corruption Effectiveness Perception Study in 2016 showed that 16 percent of the 1,000 students who were respondents were willing to accept a bribe if they had the opportunity and power compared to 10.7 percent in 2015. The 2016 study also found that 18.2 percent of students were willing to give a bribe so that they would not be punished and this figure also increased compared to 17.4 percent in 2015.

In the context of the MACC initiative and other government agencies, hopefully the approach of several preventive education measures such as the establishment of the Student Anti-Corruption Squad (AMAR) which was previously known as the Anti-Corruption Secretariat (SPR), the implementation of the Wira Anti-Corruption Program (WAR) in schools started in 2014 as well as the introduction of the Integrity and Anti-corruption Course Module (KIAR) at the university level which became a compulsory subject starting this year can help save the youth from the symptoms of corruption.

Ironically, although corruption is not a new issue in our country, the statistical disclosure of youth involvement in corruption symptoms like this is enough to worry members of society as a whole. This data shows that there is still much more that we need to do to foster and apply elements of integrity and trust among young people who are often described as the shadow of the future face of our country. Therefore, all parties who are sensitive and concerned about the future of the youth and the country need to take drastic action so that this problem can be dealt with immediately.

It must be remembered that the youth are the leaders of the country in the future and if they have started to get involved in corruption at such a young age, let's imagine what the fate and direction of this country will be one day. Is there still a ray of hope for the future of this country if the value of the integrity of our young people is like a thin onion skin. It turns out that corruption has become a big problem for our people and our country. Therefore, this serious social disease needs to be controlled, curbed and treated immediately.

Just look at the newspapers or reports on television where almost every day various cases of corruption, abuse of power and corruption are reported. The value of the bribe also sometimes reaches millions of ringgit and for a while the recipient of the bribe seems to live a perfect and luxurious life. But don't forget that as clever as a squirrel jumps, it eventually falls to the ground when there are many corrupt offenders who have begun to be brought to justice and given appropriate punishment. But the irony is that the problem of corruption still continues and is beginning to threaten the integrity of our people, especially the youth.

All parties need to be aware that if this filth of corruption is allowed to continue to happen among the youth of our country, it can destroy society and destroy the country altogether. This will also hinder the government's desire to form and give birth to a civilized society. So it is the responsibility of all of us to work together to combat this corruption from the grassroots level. If each one of us can pledge and say no to corruption and all forms of misuse of power and corruption then we are confident that this problem can be dealt with comprehensively. In this regard, we not only cannot accept bribes but we also need to ensure that we do not give bribes or kickbacks to others for various personal interests and agendas.

The youth are a very important component in the social structure of our society, so by all means we need to build a strong fortress so that corruption does not penetrate the circle of their lives. We are aware that young people sometimes forget and are complacent, take it for granted and do not take things like this seriously. In fact, we believe that many young people may not be aware that they are involved in corruption. For them receiving any remuneration when performing a task for example is normal and not wrong because it is seen as a reward or a wage for the work they have done.

So the writer believes that we need to focus on efforts at the grassroots level. Initiatives to explain the evils of corruption, especially what is classified as accepting bribes, giving bribes, abuse of power and embezzlement, need to be implemented more aggressively and creatively. Young people these days need

Date of Input: 22/06/2023 | Updated: 23/06/2023 | muhammad.isam