KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Members of the public must have the courage to say no to corruption and report such acts to the authorities, says Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy chief commissioner Datuk Seri Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil.

Shamshun Baharin, who retires in September, urged all Malaysians to play a role in fighting corruption in all its forms.

Every individual should be a "frontliner" in the fight against graft, he said in an interview on Monday (Aug 23), as any information received would help the MACC conduct its investigations.

On the development of the MACC over the years, Shamshun Baharin said the transformation of the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to the MACC was among the pivotal steps to transform it into a larger and more transparent entity.

He said the transformation included a modern information technology system that helped it become a more independent enforcement agency.

“I presented the matter to the then prime minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and it became a reality in 2009,” he said, adding that he helped in the day-to-day operations and development of the MACC's IT system known as the Corruption Reporting Information System (CRIS).

"Now, MACC staff members use the system in their daily tasks. The process of improving CRIS is still ongoing based on current needs, to ensure its effectiveness," he said.

Shamshun Baharin said he also worked on various programmes and efforts in the prevention of corruption while he was the MACC Community Education Division director and later the deputy chief commissioner (Prevention).

“Various approaches have been taken to ensure that the anti-corruption message is conveyed to all sections of the community.

"For example, the Perdana Walkabout Programme in conjunction with International Anti-Corruption Day (HARA), MACC's Ziarah Kasih Programme, the Anti-Corruption Tour, Himpunan Dua Roda and others, with the involvement of MACC's top management," he said.

Asked about his plans after retirement, he said the priority was to build a house for himself, as he never had his own home during his service with the MACC. – Bernama

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/08/23/let039s-fight-graft-as-one-nation-says-outgoing-macc-deputy-chief