KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is mulling offering incentives to whistleblowers to encourage more individuals to come forward with information on corruption cases.
Its chief commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki, said during TV3's Soal Rakyat programme that there is a need for stronger public involvement and participation in the fight against corruption.
"We need a collective effort. If there is no contribution from the public in combating corruption, our country will not achieve the goals we aspire to.
"Everyone talks about corruption in our country, with some saying it has become systemic.
"But how do we fix it? Can we rely on the MACC to make arrests every day?"
As such, Azam said, the MACC has submitted a paper to the Cabinet Governance Committee to provide incentives for whistleblowers and reduce the prevalence of anonymous letters reporting on graft.
"Currently, whistleblowers receive no incentives. We're proposing to introduce an incentive system, though the mechanism is still being discussed, to encourage more people to come forward because the number of cases reported to the MACC is very low.
"One example we can learn from is the United States, where whistleblowers are encouraged to come forward with information," he said.
By introducing incentives, he hopes there will be more direct engagement, with people coming forward with information on suspected corruption cases, rather than the matter being exposed through anonymous letters.
"We guarantee that their details will be protected.
"The MACC is the lead agency managing these efforts under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010.
"Under this act, there are specific programmes for those who provide information or file complaints with us, and their identities are protected," he said adding that there will also be legal remedies for quartes who retaliate against the whistleblowers.
He also calls for incentives for individuals and companies participating in anti-corruption programmes.
"As I mentioned earlier, this is still in progress. We aim to encourage individuals and companies to participate.
"Financial contributions (to fight against graft) are indeed important, but we're also asking whether their hearts and minds are with us or whether they still expect agencies like the MACC to bear the full burden of fighting corruption in the country, leaving them unconcerned as long as they see results, This is something that needs to be corrected," he said.
During the programme, Azam also underscored the importance of follow-up actions after corruption cases are exposed.
He said that while arrests are made, the public remains sceptical if there are no visible changes in governance following enforcement actions.
"The key is what happens after our actions. For example, if one enforcement agency makes mass arrests. What governance improvements follow? Is everything still the same?
"The public is watching. If nothing changes after mass arrests, they will question the MACC's efforts. Corruption still happens, and people don't feel the impact," he said.
As such, Azam calls for a concerted effort by all quarters to combat corruption.
He also praised the government's commitment to eradicating corruption at all levels citing a clear agenda against the serious issue.
"The first thing I want to emphasise is the clear agenda, especially by the prime minister and the Cabinet, on the total eradication of corruption. This is clear.
"So, when we talk about fighting corruption, it includes governance reform. The government recognises the need for a comprehensive approach to combat corruption, aware of its negative impact on integrity, government functions, and the well-being of the people," he said.
Azam added that the government has also taken a strong stance on tackling cronyism and political interference.
"Based on my observations so far all agency heads and secretaries-general are fully supportive.
"So, when we look at all sectors, it's about preventing abuse of power, eliminating political interference, and eradicating cronyism.
"Addressing cronyism isn't easy. It requires political will from the government, and so far, I see the government, particularly the ministers, being very serious about tackling cronyism," he said.