MACC, Chambers of Commerce to collaborate against graft

Signed: ACCIM president Tan Sri William Cheng Heng Jem (2nd from right) exchanging documents with MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abu Kassim Mohamed at a signing ceremony on Aug 9 in Kuala Lumpur.

(The Star) – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has planned to work closely with several chambers of commerce as part of its effort to reduce graft.

Its recent anti-corruption campaign saw 240 people arrested, many of whom were businessmen and factory owners.

The exercise was not only meant to arrest bribers, but also to create public awareness that offering bribes is equally a serious criminal offence (as taking bribes).

To effectively fight corruption, the Commission said it is important for the public not to offer bribes as those caught will face a fine and imprisonment.

On Aug 9, the Commission signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce Malaysia (ACCIM). ACCIM was the first of the many chambers of commerce to sign the MoU, which was the first of its kind to be endorsed by MACC.

The Commission is also currently in talks with the Malay and Indian chambers of commerce to sign a similar MoU.

The collaboration will include round table discussions and dialogues with the various chambers and their members and would emphasise the need to keep the business sector free of graft.

The MACC would also discuss with ACCIM in September (after the fasting month) ways to address government procedures to plug the loopholes of opportunities to corrupt practices.