PETALING JAYA: A true Muslim with strong faith will not take bribes or turn corruption into a racial issue, says Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay (pic).

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police said that despite corruption being widely condemned in the Quran, many of those caught receiving bribes were Muslims and it was turned into a racial issue by some.

“If we are true Muslims, if we have strong faith, we will not take bribes and we will not blame others.

“No need to blame non-Muslims,” Ayob Khan said in a video posted on Facebook on Wednesday.

He added that instead of pointing fingers, officers should lodge reports with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) if they were offered bribes.

“These people are twisting the news to dispute the actions taken by the MACC or government agencies,” he said.

He called out those who accepted bribes as the “most heinous” individuals.

“They think there’s nothing wrong with taking bribes because many people take bribes.

“They are the most heinous individuals,” he added.

Ayob Khan said that to curb corruption effectively, it is important to catch higher-ups who are taking bribes.

“If we allow higher-ups who encourage bribes, then their subordinates will rampantly take bribes,” he said.

He also said corruption has replaced drugs as the No.1 enemy of the nation.

“Narcotics used to be our No.1 enemy from 1983 to 2024. It has been years, but we are still unsuccessful. Now, corruption is our No.1 enemy,” he added.

Ayob Khan said it is important to appoint a leader who is against corruption to ensure the culture of taking bribes can be eradicated.

“If you are taking bribes, you should also apologise to all Malaysians,” he said.

In 2022, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said the root cause of corruption in the country was the influence non-Malays wielded over the economy and politics.

He said this had allowed non-Malays to dictate terms to the Malays, which in turn made the Malays become corrupted and entangled in financial scandals.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/09/no-excuse-for-taking-bribes