Don't blame non-Muslims for graft when faith is weak, Ayob says

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay has criticised those who turn corruption into a racial and religious issue.

After pointing out that a large number of those detained for corruption are Muslims, he also noted that certain quarters, whom he did not name, have questioned the reasons for not arresting those who give bribes along the lines that the latter group comprise non-Muslims.

“Even this (corruption) is turned into a racial issue.

“If our faith as Muslims is truly strong, we would not take bribes. There is no need to blame others. There is no need to blame non-Muslims,” he added.

Ayob (above) said if a person who is offered a bribe does not accept it and reports the matter to the authorities, then he or she would not be arrested.

“...you take the bribe and you want to blame others… This is what I mean when I say those who twist the stories,” he added in a recent speech posted on Facebook.

In 2022, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang blamed non-Muslims as being the “root of corruption” which resulted in a slew of police reports being lodged and an investigation being opened.

Coming to Hadi’s defence at the time, PAS leader Mohd Zuhdi Marsuki cited a survey by a local university conducted from 2010 to 2014 which purportedly showed non-Malays topping the list of those convicted for giving bribes.

However, he did not specify which survey he was referring to.

Heinous characters

The deputy IGP also said the most heinous of characters are those who believe that there is nothing wrong with accepting bribes.

“Many are taking bribes. Many are involved in corruption. Many officers are involved in corruption. This is the era of corrupt people. They justify their deeds. This is the most heinous of people,” he added.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang

Earlier, Ayob mentioned that there is an Arabic word fasad which describes corruption as actions that stray from the path of justice.

“In the Quran, the word is touched upon about 50 times… According to the ustaz, there are two categories of fasad. The first is one who ruins something good and is aware of this.

“Another category is someone who ruins something good but claims he (or she) is doing something good. The second category is paling jahat (most heinous). These are the people who take bribes,” he added.