KUALA LUMPUR: Several groups are pressing for the polygraph test — a screening system that has been proven effective in preventing and weeding out corrupt practices in the civil service — to be brought back.
The assessment, more commonly known as the lie-detector test, was used not too long ago to screen civil servants.
Used in tandem with other tools, including a comprehensive database on asset declarations that would red flag a person living beyond his means, it struck fear among those with corrupt tendencies or those who had something to hide.
This was also among the reasons why its use was discontinued.
The New Straits Times learnt that not too long ago, an entire division of government agency had failed a polygraph test that had been commissioned.
The personnel, most of them senior officers, had, during the test, admitted to stealing money and abusing their position for gratification.
That was the last time the agency, which collects revenue for the country, used the polygraph test to screen its officers.
The Association of Certified Fraud Examiner Malaysian Chapter president Datuk Akhbar Satar verified the case, as it was he who conducted the tests.
The NST also learnt that many years ago, as part of the screening process for fresh intakes into the service, candidates were hooked up to a lie-detector.
It was, however, scrapped because some took exception to what they described as “potential employees being treated like criminals” and resistance from several government agencies.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam
Baki said the Public Service Commission (PSC) should consider making polygraph tests part of its recruitment policy.
Only then could the service arrest the problem of corruption plaguing the sector.
He said if a policy to allow for the tests were introduced, it would augur well for the integrity of the sector as those with corrupt tendencies would be red-flagged from the start.
PSC, he said, should compel officers seeking employment in government agencies to undergo a lie-detector test.
This, he added, should begin with those applying for posts within the management and professional group, as these would comprise individuals, who upon completion of their training, would be filling critical positions in public agencies.
“For a start, maybe we can use lie-detectors to check on those applying for Grade 41 positions and above... as they would be assigned to managerial positions in enforcement agencies, the Administration and Diplomatic Service (PTD) and even magistrates.
“Polygraph tests are good as we can, at least, check the background of officers... not only on whether the person is corrupt, but also for other criminal elements.
“Those who fail the lie-detector test must not be considered for employment,” he said,
For the commission, Azam said strapping new recruits to a lie-detector was nothing new, although they were forced to stop the practice following PSC’s instruction.
However, he said the commission’s trained polygraphers still used them in investigations and information-gathering.
“Police and MACC still use the polygraph test during interrogations. The commission only uses it on those who give their consent. This is the requirement set by the manufacturers who supplied us the equipment.
“Information gathered during the examination is used only to assist us in probes,” he said.
Azam said should PSC reintroduce the polygraph test, it must train enough personnel to conduct the screening effectively.
“The service employs hundreds of new officers every month. That is why we suggested that they start with the management and professional group as a pilot project.”
In her Raw Copy commentary in the NST two weeks ago, news and special probes editor Farrah Naz Karim suggested that polygraph tests be made mandatory annually to screen civil servants, especially those with access to public funds.
Others had called for tougher measures to deal with corruption among civil servants.
Former National Institute of Integrity president Datuk Dr Mohd Tap Salleh, who is also executive council member of the Alumni Association of the Administrative and Diplomatic Officers, said the authorities should consider whipping civil servants guilty of corruption.
This he said was because graft was a disturbing trend and would damage the reputation of the service, and the country.
“Apart from jail time, corrupt officials must also be whipped.”
Meanwhile, Akhbar said there were 30 well-trained polygraphers with various enforcement agencies.
“These officers had, among others, been trained in interrogation techniques to solicit confessions and detect attempts to deceive the examiner.
“Well-trained examiners can even, at the end of the process, put a figure as to how much a corrupt official has squandered,” said Akhbar, who has 15 years of experience as a polygraph examiner.
Taking off from Azam’s line of argument, Akhbar said PSC should also conduct random polygraph tests to identify “good officers” who might have gone rogue.
“People change. Some decent officers may become influenced by bad apples and join them.
“The polygraph test can also serve to clear a wrongly accused person. If he fails his test, the authorities can continue with their investigation and due diligence... but it can also be used for him to clear his name.”
Meanwhile, attemps to reach the PSC for immediate comments were unsuccessful. Additional reporting by Zafira Anwar