Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad's stern call yesterday showed the anti-graft body's commitment to stem corruption and this should be welcomed by all.

Its Consultation and Prevention of Corruption Panel in a statement today said Dzulkifli had showed good performance in his 100 days in power as the new chief.

“The panel is confident the first action done by Dzulkifli in leading the MACC would continue until it achieves the objective of a corrupt-free country and results in the service to the people to be optimised and the development plan undertaken by the country could be focused and implemented fully.

“This is based on the open letter to Malaysians delivered by Dzulkifli since his 100 days in office shows his and the MACC's commitment and this should be welcomed with cooperation from all levels of society,” the statement added.

Yesterday, it was reported that Dzulkifli had urged elected representatives, politicians and community leaders not to betray the people, when he read the emphatic letter reminding them not to fool the people with fairy tales while at the same time engaging in corruption.

"Don't be swayed by the desire to be praised and raised on thrones, to the extent of neglecting judgment and (public) interests,” he had said.

The panel also wants the government to also reconsider its financial allocation to the MACC for Budget 2017, which is less than previous years.

“We understand the government's demand to increase growth, ensuring good fiscal management to improve the well-being of the society.

“Hence, the focus on eradication of corruption should also be focused towards achieving the aim,” the panel said.

Meanwhile, Yayasan Anti Rasuah Malaysia president Zakaria Jaffar in a separate statement supported Dzulkifli's call.

“Hence, the people should join together with the MACC to eradicate corruption and not fault one another with the crime,” he said.

Meanwhile, Transparency International Malaysia's Akhbar Satar also reminded MACC not to practice favouritism or be afraid of investigating corruption.

"Do your job sincerely to ensure you gain the trust of the rakyat to reduce the level of corruption in the country.

"TI-M is of the view that efforts to strengthen MACC should be followed by full support from various quarters including the government to reconsider its financial allocation to the commission in Budget 2017."

He said a recent survey by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners found many agencies lost five percent of its allocation as a result of leakages and corruption.

Akhbar said the government should strengthen MACC by increasing its allocation as it would bring good returns which would help reduce the possibility of losses of millions of ringgit due to leakages and corruption.