SEREMBAN: The Penang state government’s refusal to sign the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Corruption-Free Pledge is questionable as it goes to show that the state is not serious in combating corruption.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said he could not see the rationale behind the state government’s decision.
“There is no reason for the Penang state government to reject it. Combating corruption is not a political ideology.
“Do not turn this effort to fight corruption as a political driven agenda. It is a social disease that we must fight together,” said Mohamad, after attending the state-level Teacher’s Day celebration here today.
He said the Penang state government should be one of the first states to sign the pledge, especially since it is constantly blowing its own trumpet, boasting of the state’s clean, accountable and transparent administration principles.
Yesterday, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy said, the state government would not be signing the pledge as it had no faith in the agency.
Ramasamy was responding to MACC chief commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad’s comment, who reportedly expressed regret on the Penang state government’s refusal to sign the pledge.
The statement, which was posted by Ramasamy on his Facebook account, added that the state administration strongly believe that its clean, accountable and transparent principle was more effective in fighting corruption.