Malaysians may say they hate corruption but their actions indicate otherwise, a graftbuster says.

There are also concerns that the people may not hate corrupt individuals, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) community education director Abdul Samat Kasah said.

Speaking on the MACC's online radio channel, Samat told about a seminar he gave, where members of the audience told him they would try to bribe their way out of trouble should they be stopped for a traffic offence.

"Sometimes, their hate for corruption is just rhetorical, but when they face corruption they become trapped by it," he told MACC FM.

Besides this, Samat also expressed concern that Malaysians may be like Filipinos, who elected Imelda Marcos to congress twice after her return from exile.

Marcos had become infamous for her lavish lifestyle while she was the Philippines first lady from 1965 to 1986.

"This is what we are afraid of - when society is rhetorical, saying they hate corruption but don't hate the corrupt," Samat said.

He said Malaysians also have the  tendency of only believing those they hate are capable of corruption.

"When someone they support does (corrupt) acts, they can make compromises.

"When we (MACC) probe someone they support, they accuse us of all sorts of things.

"But when we investigate the other side, they are the ones who 'support' us," he added.

Samat said it was important that the people learn about the various types of corruption, and reject all facets of corruption.