KUALA LUMPUR: A former senior officer of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has acknowledged that corruption involves individuals from all ethnic groups, with non-Malays commonly being the givers, and the Malays being takers.

Datuk Seri Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil, who is former MACC deputy chief commissioner (prevention), said the givers usually comprised businesspeople seeking benefits that would profit their businesses.

Shamshun Baharin, who is now Malaysian Anti-Corruption Organisation (Pakar) president, said the givers tended to be wealthier compared with the takers.

During his tenure, he said, MACC investigations did not focus on race, ethnicity or religion but rather on reports received by the anti-corruption agency.

"Those who offer bribes usually want something in return such as projects, licences and permits, or to expedite service processes.

"They are willing to offer (bribe) as long as they get what they want. The takers are usually financially challenged individuals, and predominantly Malays," he told BH.

BH reported today that caretaker Kedah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has claimed that non-Muslims are the majority of those detained for the offence of giving and taking bribes.

Sanusi said the claim was true and based on facts.

Shamshun Baharin said the ethnicity of givers and takers of bribe should not be an issue because MACC investigations focused on corruption offences, which are criminal in nature.

"MACC never conducts investigations based on ethnic or racial backgrounds. Instead, we investigate based on the reports and information received.

"When I was in service, we investigated members from blue, yellow and green parties, regardless of their party affiliation.

"Our investigations are not driven by personal biases but rather by the information we receive.

"MACC investigations revolve around corruption and abuse of power."

Shamshun Baharin said he found that the majority of bribery takers were Muslims, with 47 percent of them being civil servants.

"In the past five years, MACC has identified that the group with the highest number of corruption cases involved civil servants, followed by members of the public such as council members."

MACC has detained 662 people up to June this year compared with 909 last year, 851 in 2021, 998 in 2020 and 1,101 in 2019.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/07/930219/non-malays-are-bribe-givers-malays-are-bribe-takers-claims-former-macc