The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) detained 605 people last year on suspicion of being involved in various forms of corruption.

MACC chief commissioner Ahmad Said Hamdan said of that total 323 people or 54 percent were civilians and privately-employed persons while 282 or 46 percent were civil servants.

bribery 010304 "This clearly shows that there has been a very big change in the awareness of civil servants towards corruption," he said at an anti-corruption and civil service integrity seminar in Seremban today.

Ahmad Said's speech was read out by MACC director (Security Division) Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya.

He said the MACC had received various complaints and done investigation on civilians and private bodies in connection with graft especially in bids to bribe civil servants.

Positive effect

Ahmad Said said following the government's and MACC's efforts to have programmes to educate about corruption and integrity there has been much positive effect whereby many civil servants had come forward to report about attempts to bribe them.

"The efforts to fight corruption needs planning and implementation of various policies and programmes systematically. The level of awareness regarding the dangers of corruption has to be enhanced from time to time.

"We need to handle the question of integrity comprehensively by instilling noble values in all our actions," he said.

The seminar is also to provide exposure to Negri Sembilan civil service personnel on the aspects of law and procedure related to corruption offences.

- Bernama