Mr Anwar, who also attended the launch, said all the money lost to corruption could have been used to improve people’s livelihoods if the country was saved from “greedy” people in power.
The MACC is in the midst of an ongoing corruption crackdown on prominent businessmen and former politicians that critics have labelled as politically motivated, as they involve Mr Anwar’s political rivals in the late 1990s.
Those being investigated include former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad as well as businessmen close to former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, who has been charged with failing to declare his assets.
The premier has dismissed allegations of political payback and on Tuesday he congratulated the MACC for remaining steadfast in its efforts to probe high-profile people suspected to have abused their power.
“The scourge of corruption cannot be taken lightly,” said Mr Anwar. “To combat this, you need a very powerful, committed, dedicated and courageous force. You need strong legislation and norms.”
FINANCIAL CARROT
Mr Azam said the new national anti-corruption strategy emphasises integrity, transparency and accountability in areas like politics, public administration, government procurement, law enforcement and judiciary.
It has five main categories – education, public accountability, the people’s voice, enforcement, and incentives – comprising 60 sub-categories that are targeted to be carried out from 2024 to 2028.
Local news channel TV3 reported in March that between 2012 and 2023, more than RM1 million had been given as incentives to civil servants who reported corruption offences or gave related information.
According to established guidelines, civil servants who report the offence will get an incentive equivalent to the amount they were offered as bribes, if the case is investigated and results in prosecution and conviction.
It was not immediately clear how the government plans to extend this scheme to the general public.
