Low pay not main reason for taking bribes

A LOW salary is not the main reason behind anyone taking bribes as it usually involves individuals who earn a lot and have considerable power, Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) director-general Datuk Ahmad Said Hamdan told Mingguan Malaysia.

The need to maintain a certain lifestyle was what drove a person to bribery, he said.

“Salary is not a main factor, rather it is the need to sustain his lifestyle, his nightlife and his many girlfriends.

“This is especially true among the younger government officers. Our study found that 30% of bribe-takers were young people,” he added.

Ahmad Said said the majority of law enforcers were involved in corruption because they had power and also because human wants were unlimited.

He added that corruption had also become more difficult to prove with people taking advantage of the Internet and sending money to offshore accounts that were difficult to detect.

“But compared with 10 years ago, the awareness on corruption has definitely increased. Statistics last month showed that 262 arrests were made by the ACA of which half were bribe-takers and the other half bribe-givers. This means the public has understood that bribe-givers are also part of the problem,” he said.

On comments that the ACA took too long to solve cases, Ahmad Said said they had to take into account the possibility that the accused was framed.

ACA wants to be respected, not feared

By LOURDES CHARLES

TODAY is the 40th anniversary of the Anti-Corruption Agency. Director-general Datuk Ahmad Said Hamdan shares his views on how corruption is being tackled in this country.

Q: The Government and PM have highlighted their fight against corruption as a national agenda. How do you as the Anti-Corruption Agency director-general see that this is achieved?

A: Corruption worldwide is recognised as a crime that is most difficult to tackle. It is a problem not just because of the self-interest that both the giver and the taker have in the transaction. It is compounded with the abuse and misuse of power by the people in authority who will try to entrench themselves in their position and also surround themselves with people who will ensure their survival at the expense of the people’s welfare and well-being. That is why the fundamental factors for worldwide success in fighting corruption are as follows:

1. Political will of leaders. This political will must be translated into concrete action and commitment of economic resources;

2. Appropriate legislative framework. This will cover the spectrum of investigations; prosecutions and court judicature processes,

3. Adoption of strong preventive measures;

4. Extensive build-up of public support; and

5. Adoption of strategic partnerships.

So in terms of political will, which is translated into concrete action and resource commitment, I am proud that we have a Government that not only talks but walks the talk.

But this is not to say I am very satisfied with the current status. In fact, a number of new initiatives are being worked out and it is my hope that they will bear fruit in time to come.

It has been only four months since I took over as the ACA DG. My 32 years of experience in the department is a definite advantage for me.

Given the political will in existence and pressing along all fronts listed above, I am confident we can make headway in the fight against corruption.


Q: Public expectation is high of the ACA. How do you intend to show the public what has been done?

A: Ever since I assumed the post, I must say that public perception towards my department is much better. The Star and the other press have given us good coverage and input. We will definitely fight against corruption and I can assure you the ACA is going to be more open so that the public can judge for themselves whether we have done our job within the confines of the law.

Q: Public perception is that the ACA is toothless. What is your comment?

A: I think it is an unfair perception. We have conducted our investigations in the best possible manner. We have fearlessly entered various departments and ministries interviewing both the top ministers as well as their staff in the course of our investigations. We have over the years investigated and prosecuted ministers, chief ministers, corporate figures, senior police officers and so on.

Q: The public is frustrated with rampant corruption in the country. Is the perception fair?

A: We have been a victim of wrong perception. There is corruption in society but we are not a corrupted society. We will definitely deal with it and try to eradicate. Once the system itself is corrupted then it is disastrous.

Q: Do you think government servants deserve better pay so that there will be less corruption?

A: Recently, the Government raised the salary by 35%. As such, they should be appreciative and give their best service to the public in return.

Q: Would you like to see the ACA modelled after the much-feared ICAC in Hong Kong?

A: To say the ICAC in Hong Kong is feared and better is incorrect. In fact, they adopted our laws and learnt from us. We have a better track record than them in terms of prosecuting prominent figures and I also don’t think there is any other agency in this region that has taken action against top officials more than us. I rather make the ACA a respected agency than a feared one.

Q: Everyone has the perception that corruption is entrenched in the government system. How do you see it?

A: Corruption is still under the table in our country. If we press on this fight against it, I foresee a turnaround. I am positive about that but we need the support of everyone if we want to win the battle.

Q: What have been your priorities since taking over as ACA director-general?

A: To see a corruption-free society. In order for that to happen, a lot of effort is needed. Since our leaders have shown the political wield, we all must come forward and do our part. I would also like to put Malaysia among the top 30 countries in the world that is corrupt free.

Q: How many high profile cases is the ACA investigating and what are they investigated for?

A: There are so many cases being investigated and it is difficult for me to say what is high profile and what is not. We categorise all of them as important cases that need to be investigated.

Q: What are the difficulties faced by the ACA in the course of your investigations?

A: The major obstacles the ACA faces during investigations are uncooperative witnesses, missing witnesses, witnesses turning hostile and poison pen letters. More often than not, the poison pen letters takes a lot of time to investigate.

The other obstacles that we face are when we require cooperation from foreign counterparts, especially when locating witnesses abroad, or when obtaining financial records.