Two ways to combat graft

Strength and political will are needed to combat corruption, said Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah. Those involved in the fight against corruption must have the strength to take action against the guilty ones even if they were their own loved ones, he said.
He said any party found to be corrupt should not be defended.
“When I was a judge, I had to deal with corruption cases involving top leaders in the country.
“In the face of such serious cases, a professional standpoint based on law and the desire to protect the interest of the nation, its institutions and the people, as well as a greater responsibility to Allah, should be used as a basis and reference in making consideration,” he said at the opening of the state Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) new building here yesterday.
Also present were Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz and the MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abu Kassim Mohamed.
Sultan Azlan Shah, a former Lord President, said personal relationships and emotions should be ignored to ensure justice was implemented.
He added that the court must maintain its integrity and the morale of investigating and prosecuting agencies should not be undermined.
He said the MACC, which had been entrusted to fight corruption, must gain the support and confidence of the people.
Such support, he said, could only be there if the MACC could project itself as a commission that was professional, neutral and fair.
“For that, the MACC must first clean up its own organisation of officers and staff who may tarnish its image,” he added.
In his speech earlier, Abu Kassim said the RM24.7mil building is the first MACC office in the country equipped with a video interviewing room (VIR).
He said the facility would allow the MACC to demonstrate its transparency to the public when conducting investigations.
“With the VIR, it is hoped that the MACC will be able to deflect accusations that its investigating officers use torture, coercion and intimidation when interrogating witnesses or suspects,” he said.
At a press conference later, MACC deputy chief commissioner (management and professionalism) Datuk Zakaria Jaffar said the VIR would be ready for use at all MACC offices by the end of the year.