The Perak branch of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has never received any report on corrupt practices among the Orang Asli, said its deputy director Mohamad Hassan.

This was probably because the Orang Asli community had never been involved in corruption or they were aware about the white-collar crime but did not know the proper channels to lodge a report.

"We have not received any complaint from the Orang Asli community over the issue (corruption). I believe they are aware of the corruption practice going around them but do not know how to report it," Mohamad said.

He said this during a 'Hatimu Hatiku Jua' dialogue with the Orang Asli community in conjunction with a programme to popularise MACC and the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) at Kampung Orang Asli Desa Permai in Banun Resettlement Scheme in Grik, Perak, yesterday.

The one-day programme, which was jointly organised by the MACC, the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), C4 and the Public Complaints Bureau, was attended by more than 100 people comprising Orang Asli leaders nationwide.
    
Mohamad said through the inaugural programme, the MACC had also taken the initiative to provide exposure on corruption prevention measures to the Orang Asli community.

He urged the Orang Asli community with information on corruption to come forward and lodge their reports at the Ipoh MACC office or the nearest MACC branches in Taiping and Teluk Intan.

Informants, Mohamad added, did not have to worry about their safety as their identities would not be disclosed and the MACC would never conspire with any party to avoid investigations.

Jakoa deputy director-general Suhaimi Mahmud said based on the department’s records, the Orang Asli community had never been involved in giving or receiving bribes.

- Bernama