Anti-corruption, integrity syllabus to be introduced in Malaysian schools next year

Come next year, Malaysia will introduce anti-corruption and integrity subjects into the academic syllabus in schools.

Anti-Corruption National Key Results Area (NKRA) of Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) director, D. Ravindran said the subjects would be introduced at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels to create awareness among young generation against the menace of corruption.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), which spearheaded the initiative had been working closely with the education ministry by adopting local and international education models to ensure the plan materialised, he said.

"I think it is about time to remind people what integrity is all about, and its practices as a social norm. When I was growing up, I had civic study and we were taught how to say no to corruption and other related negative issues," added Ravindran.

He was speaking to reporters after participating at a workshop titled, 'Tackling Grand Corruption: What Recommendations to the UNCAC (The United Nations Convention against Corruption) Conference of States Parties in November?' in conjunction with the 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) here today.

Ravindran disclosed that Pemandu had conducted a survey in 2007 among students from public and private universities and found that many of them had said, 'okay' to give and take bribes.

"Therefore, in 2015, our respondents would have graduated and are working in corporate and government sectors. That is why, we started an intense exercise to introduce these subjects into our education system.

"The awareness should start from home, and that is why, we came up with the curriculum to teach them," he said.

On another topic, Ravindran said those who wanted to reveal information on crucial issues should refer to relevant agencies such as the MACC and Royal Malaysian Police to receive proper protection.

"However, if you choose to go to the media, I am afraid it will be more hype than reality," he said in a reply to a panelist who suggested Malaysia should have a better whistle-blower protection.