PUTRAJAYA: Greater accountability is needed to prevent the nation from suffering huge losses to corruption, say graft watchdogs.

Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) president Dr Muhammad Mohan said it is frightening how much the nation had lost over a period of just five years, despite attempts to weed out graft.

“We could have used the money for the betterment of the nation and welfare of the rakyat such as building more schools, hospitals and homes.

“The money could have even been used to reduce the nation’s debt,” he said.

He blamed the huge loss as a legacy of endemic corruption affecting the nation.

He lauded the constant reminders by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the need for a collective effort to fight corruption if the country is to move forward.

“There are some who question why the Prime Minister keeps bringing up the issue of corruption in his speeches.

“As humans, we tend to forget easily and the prime minister’s call is for a collective effort by the rakyat to fight graft and not merely leave it to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission,” he added.

Rather than complaining about the government or demanding subsidies, he said the rakyat should stand up and support Anwar in the fight against corruption.

Muhammad said there should be greater accountability on the part of government officers who are responsible for losses suffered by the government due to poor administration.

“Freezing their salary or promotion, including transferring them out, may not help.

“Officers responsible for the losses should be held accountable and charged if corruption is involved,” he said.

He suggested the Chief Secretary to the Government be responsible for the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2024-2028 rather than placing it under the MACC.

He said doing so would help create a more transparent dashboard on how corruption is dealt with, akin to that of the annual Auditor-General Report that is tabled in Parliament.

Special Committee on Corruption (SCC) member Hassan Abdul Karim noted that the RM277bil lost to corruption was larger than the development expenditure or operating expenditure under Budget 2024 which amounted to about RM92bil.

“It is a lot of money lost due to corruption and we must regard corruption as the number one enemy in our country,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Apart from the MACC and the executive, the Pasir Gudang MP said the judiciary and legislative institutions must also play their role.

“I fully support the prime minister’s vision and action to fight and eliminate this vicious cycle of corruption in our society and country.

“In this regard, we cannot tolerate by giving discounts or lenient punishment to corrupt people who have already been convicted by a court of law from the lowest court to the apex court for corrupt offences involving millions and billions of public money,” he added.

Hassan said a wrong signal would be sent if those convicted of corruption are given any form of pardon or leniency, such as being placed under house arrest.

Meanwhile, Malaysia Corruption Watch (MCW) in a statement said the success of the NACS will depend on how strict the MACC is, coupled with the political will and commitment from civil servants.

The graft watchdog said there must be strictness and consistency by the MACC for the NACS to be implemented effectively.

“The commitment of civil servants, especially the highest officials in ministries and heads of departments, can help make this strategy a reality,” it said.

MCW also said political commitment from the Cabinet is crucial in ensuring NACS remains in effect throughout the next five years and is carefully monitored.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/08/greater-accountability-is-needed-say-graft-watchdogs