Unfair to claim only BN governments are corrupt, says DPM

There is an impression that only BN governments are corrupt and that is unfair, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

"To create an impression that the (BN) government is corrupt, with the involvement of (government) officers or those in power, is an unfair action.

"It is as though (only) BN governments, where Umno forms the core, have such a negative perception," Zahid told the Millennials Empowerment Summit 2017 in Kuala Lumpur.

However, he said, he remained confident that the MACC would investigate state governments that are not administered by BN as well to root out graft.

"I am confident that MACC will observe the practices... of states that are not ruled by Umno and BN.

"I am confident that MACC will conduct investigations down to the grassroots (in those states)," Zahid said.

The conference was organised by the Umno Overseas Club and involved 300 participants. It was held ahead of the Umno annual general assembly, which begins tomorrow.

'Go after the giver, too'

Commenting on Malaysia's recent slide in Transparency International's (TI) corruption perception index rank, Zahid said the MACC should also monitor the private and corporate sector for graft.

He suggested that the private sector as well be made to sign an anti-corruption pledge, just as how government agencies were made to do so.

"We often see the recipients of a bribe among the public sector being investigated and charged. (However) there is no receiver if there is no giver," he said.

In view of this, he said there should be a shift in focus to on those who hand out bribes as well.

"Corruption is crime that not only tarnishes the country's administration, but also the image of the private sector.

"It is unfair when only the bribe taker is punished. I don't deny that there are givers who are punished, but we rarely hear about it," Zahid said.- Mkini