KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission ( MACC) has adopted a set of new goals in its aim to eliminate corruption by 2020.
MACC chief commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad said the agency will address key issues on corruption plaguing critical sectors in the country to ensure they are all graft-free.
He said this encompasses public service agencies, enforcement agencies, state and local authorities, government-linked companies, the private sector and the banking sector, among others.
"International Anti-Corruption Day is a platform for us to reflect on and draft new strategies and plans to combat corruption in the country.
"Hence, we have come up with new goals (to create a graft-free nation, particularly in the critical sectors), in (four) years.
"In order to achieve said goals, we have to focus on enforcement and confiscation of proceeds of corruption, to return them (proceeds) to the country (government).
"Since I assumed my position as MACC chief commissioner in Aug 2016, we have laid out several strategies and carried out aggressive enforcement activities, which have led to successful and positive outcomes," he said in his opening speech during a forum held in conjunction with International Anti-Corruption Day 2016 here today.
Dzulkifli said the MACC wants to send a clear message across to the public that the agency is serious about stamping out corruption, and will carry out their duties without fear or favour.
Malaysia ranked 54 among 168 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2015, with a score of 50 out of 100.
This is a drop from rank 50 out of 175 countries in CPI 2014, when Malaysia scored 52 out of 100.
During the forum, "Towards a corruption-free nation: Issues and challenges", MACC deputy chief commissioner (prevention) Datuk Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil said one of the challenges they face is the public's reluctance to lodge complaints, due to fear or reprisal.
"Only 0.01 per cent (162 people out of 1.6 million) of the civil workforce is willing to come forth to report a corruption case in their agency.
"We cannot take action if there are no reports. We have to work collectively and together in putting an end to graft," he added.