IF MALAYS DON’T THROW OUT UMNO, CORRUPTION WILL BECOME THEIR WAY OF LIFE: NEARLY 36% OF VARSITY STUDENTS THINK GRAFT IS OKAY, SAYS SURVEY

AT least a third of public university students today believe that graft is morally acceptable and does not constitute a crime, according to a survey conducted by the Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM).

Other findings from the survey, which IIM said was conducted “recently”, were just as alarming – nearly a third of students believe there is nothing wrong with stealing office supplies while a fifth had no problems with nepotism.

Of the 402 respondents, 33.1% are from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia (47.5%), Universiti Teknologi Mara (15.9%) while the rest from unnamed public universities (3.5%).

The survey found that:
* 35.8% believe the receiving gifts in the form of money, goods or services for services rendered is not a form of bribery.

* 28.1% believe it is not wrong to take home office supplies, such as thumb drives, toner and paper, for personal use.

* 37.3% believe that filing outstation claims, despite accommodation being provided by other sponsors, is morally acceptable.

* 20.6% believe that actively appointing family members for vacant positions in a government department is morally acceptable.

“The results are a concern,” said IIM CEO Dr Anis Yusal Yusoff in a statement today, adding that the country’s education might need “rethinking”.

“A majority of students have a high comprehension of what constitutes graft.

“We are concerned, as many of these students are about to receive their degrees and enter the workforce. Some of them may become leaders in their workplace of their communities. They are the leaders of 2050,” he added.

“If these are the results from our undergraduates, what hope do we have for those who are less educated?”

Anis said the findings should not be disregarded.

“Our younger generation is the future… What hope is there when they blatantly said they have no problems with what is generally considered as bribery?”

IIM was founded in 2004 by former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. It is to conduct research on good governance in public institutions.

– https://www.themalaysianinsight.com