63.3 percent of corruption complaints involve public sector - Azam Baki

A study by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) shows 63.3 percent of the complaints received were on the public sector.

From a study conducted by MACC from 2013-2018 showed that 42.8 percent of the complaints were on the procurement sector, 23.9 percent on enforcement while 8.69 per cent on licensing and permit.

The three sectors contributed 75.39 percent of the overall complaints received by MACC in that period.

MACC deputy chief commissioner Azam Baki (above) said based on the commission's investigation statistics for 2019 showed there were 2,526 information on graft offences among civil servants which resulted in 480 investigation papers, 463 arrests and 145 charged.

“From the total, 424 information or 16.8 percent involved enforcement agencies which resulted in 119 investigation papers opened or 24.8 percent on civil servants, resulting in 172 arrests and 49 charged in court,” he said this at an anti-corruption programme at Labuan International School Auditorium today.

Azam said investigations by MACC also found that corruption in marine enforcement had also affected national revenue from the marine industry and fishermen experiencing loss of income.

He said MACC found that the modus operandi of this group began when foreign fishing boats were confiscated by enforcers for intrusion and fishing in Malaysian waters.

"The arrested boat skipper will inform the boat owner abroad on the location and the name of the enforcement officer who arrested them.

“The boat owner would then contact a middleman in the country who would, in turn, contact the commanding enforcement officer and arrange for a meeting to hand over the bribe.

At the same time, the commanding enforcement officer would order the arresting officer to release the foreign fishermen in custody.

“MACC operations have yielded the arrest of 23 people including government servants, individuals and foreigners.

“A sum of RM1.949 million in cash was seized in the operations while RM2 million in various bank accounts were frozen,” Azam said.

- Bernama