Syed Saddiq: Corruption, no matter how small, is no joke

Do not make the act of bribery the butt of jokes but lodge a report immediately to the relevant authorities instead if such activities occur, says Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

Syed Saddiq said a new culture should be cultivated to view corruption as serious that gave a negative impact not only to the youths but also to the country.

“Corruption should be viewed as serious and whatever type of bribes even as little as RM5 or up to billions of ringgit is still considered as a bribery and not the butt of jokes,” he told reporters after the state-level Inland Revenue Board’s social responsibility programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Parit 5 in Muar today.

Also present were LHDN Compliance deputy chief executive officer Abdul Manap Dim, Johor LHDN director Mohd Ramli A Wahid and Bukit Naning assemblyperson Md Ysahrudin Kusni.

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said 2,238 persons or 55.2 percent of corruption-related offences were committed by youth for the period between 2013 and May this year.

 Wan Azizah said the matter was alarming as this particular group was the country’s future leaders.

Syed Saddiq, who is also Muar MP, said the ministry had outlined three proposals to combat corruption and to prevent it from becoming rampant, especially among the youths, such as enhancing further the role of the MACC.

“Also undertaking amendments to the laws, including the segregation of power and political interference as well as extensive coverage on corruption cases,” he said.

Earlier, 30 students from the underprivileged received contributions in the form of eyeglasses while four schools in Muar parliamentary constituency also received teaching aids.

Commenting on a 28-second video that went viral showing Syed Saddiq picking up rubbish left by football fans during the final of the FA Cup competition at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium last night, he said it was not planned.

He said the act was done spontaneously, hoping it would become the practice of supporters while at the stadium.

- Bernama