More operations to arrest civil servants involved in graft - MACC

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission will carry out a series of operations in several states to detain public servants involved in graft and abuse of power.

MACC Investigation Director Datuk Azam Baki said the commission took the issue of corruption seriously, especially within the government agencies and would use everything within its authority to take action on those involved.

According to him, MACC was expected to call and arrest several more individuals to facilitate investigation on graft and abuse of power in the near future.

"Those who will be called up comprise officers from government bodies and government linked companies (GLCs). The MACC will arrest individuals who are involved regardless whether they are the 'sharks' or 'small fries'.

"The MACC is trying its best to clean up the government service including the GLCs from this issue and efforts are being carried out to track down officers who are involved in corruption," he told Bernama, here, today.

Since August, the nation was jolted by the series of arrests by the MACC involving several important individuals in the government agencies until they were charged in court.

They included high-ranking officers in the Kuala Lumpur City Hall and Bank Rakyat.

"The MACC had always been taking hollistic measures to contain graft and abuse of power as they are elements that can be detrimental to the national economy, and subsequently contribute negative impact on public's life and cause serious social problems.

"We don't want such things to happen, causing misery to the public just because of a few individuals who don't have integrity," he said.

Azam said the initiative was in line with the wish of MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad who wanted MACC to focus on fighting corruption in enforcement agencies, regulators, local authorities and GLCs.

He said the aggresive action by MACC proved that the commission would not hesitate if investigation showed there were graft and misuse of power practised by public officers.

"MACC will investigate all cases thoroughly and take action based on the available laws. So there will not be such things as small or big cases.

"As long as the case contains any element of corruption, the MACC will take appropriate action," he said adding that the MACC's success in arresting several government officers previously was due to the continuous cooperation and support from the public. -- BERNAMA