Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar today led his force in taking the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission's (MACC) Anti-Corruption Pledge (IBR), as part of the efforts to combat graft.

Khalid led more than 200 police officers in reciting the pledge in a ceremony at the Police Training Academy in Kuala Lumpur this morning, while similar events were held concurrently, nationwide.

Bernama reported that 10,000 police officers across Johor had taken the oath while 3,435 had done the same in Sabah. In Kedah, 5,000 had recited the IBR.

Explaining the significance of having the ceremonies at the same time, Khalid said in his speech that it is a manifestation of police force's support and commitment towards making Malaysia a country free from corruption.

A copy of the pledge was later signed on stage by Khalid, together with MACC chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad, and this was witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Speaking to reporters later, Dzulkifli expressed his appreciation to the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) for being the only enforcement agency to have taken up the pledge on a nationwide scale.

“This a big moment in history. God willing, we will try to ensure all (other) national enforcement agencies will (take the pledge) as well,” he said.

More than a pledge

However, Khalid admitted that a pledge on its own was not enough to combat the deep-rooted problem of graft within the PDRM.

“I don’t deny that there is corruption within the force, (this pledge) is among the measures we are taking to clean this up.

“Actions and programmes are being done by (Bukit Aman's) Integrity and Standard Compliance Department (Jips) as well... and actions will be taken against PDRM personnel who are involved in corruption,” he said.

Next, MACC will work together with Jips to further combat graft, Dzulkifli said.

“This is the first stage, we will have more programmes after this... continuous commitment is needed, not just a pledge.

“I and officers from the MACC Community Education Division will sit down with Jips to plan subsequent programmes, to be carried out consistently,” Dzulkifli told reporters.

The MACC first launched the IBR in January this year, encouraging state governments and government agencies to voluntarily sign it to show their commitment to combating corruption.

National agencies such as the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) have since signed it.

Controversy erupted when three opposition-led states - Penang, Selangor and Kelantan - initially refused to sign the IBR. Selangor and Kelantan eventually did on July 15, leaving Penang the only state that has not signed the pledge.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng maintained he would not sign it unless his 10 recommendations were included in the pledge, adding that MACC had not asked the state to sign it.

In a tit-for-tat, Dzulkifli criticised Penang’s reluctance, saying the MACC was unable to “force” Penang’s hand as it was the state’s responsibility to embrace the pledge.