MELAKA: Local Bumiputera contractors have been advised to steer clear of corruption following the arrest of several high-profile officials by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) here.
State Public Works and Public Utilities Committee chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Ghafaar Atan said corruption in the construction sector has reached a “miserable” level, a study by Transparency International has revealed.
"Transparency International (the leading anti-corruption organisation), has stressed that… corruption in the construction sector can cause a development project to be luxurious and expensive, (lead to) reckless spending and rising problems of abandoned projects," he said at the 'Kontraktor Bumiputera Zero Rasuah' seminar at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) in Ayer Keroh, today.
A total of 150 contractors from 89 companies attended the seminar.
Ghafaar, who officiated the seminar, noted that the construction sector in the country is a lucrative industry full of opportunities and challenges, but reminded Bumiputera contractors to uphold integrity.
"There must be honesty, trust, appreciation, no malice, diligence, efficiency, creativity and innovativeness in preventing one from slipping into corruption.
"The value of integrity has been lifted by the state government, as one of the four complementary values in the administration of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in his efforts to transform Malaysia into a developed nation.