MACC launch UniKL Integrity and Anti-Corruption programme

Kuala Lumpur (23 July 2020): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today lauded the move by Universiti Kuala Lumpur in developing a new programme called ‘Integrity and Anti-Corruption’ that will be offered to undergraduates for the September intake.

MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki said UniKL is the first private university in the country to set up an Integrity and Governance Unit (IGU) following the launch of the National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP) 2019-2023.

The NACP is one of the government’s initiatives in realising the government’s manifesto towards a nation with integrity and free from corruption.

Datuk Seri Azam was speaking at the launch of the UniKL Integrity and Anti-Corruption Programme Book Module and Integrity & Governance website at UniKL Chancellery in Kuala Lumpur.

Also in attendance at the launch are MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner Datuk Shamshun Baharin, MACC Deputy Commissioner Razim Mohd Noor, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) Director-General Datuk Azhar Abdul Manaf, UniKL Chairman Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Sukiman Sarmani, UniKL President and Chief Executive Officer Prof Dato’ Dr Mazliham Mohd Su’ud.

The others in attendance are UniKL Deputy Presidents Datuk Salmah Hayati Ghazali (University Development & Sustainability), Prof Dato’ Dr. Khairanum Subari (Student Development & Campus Lifestyle), UniKL Chief Marketing and Planning Officer Dato’ Amir Azhar Ibrahim and senior staff of UniKL.

The “MACC congratulates UniKL President Prof Dato’ Dr Mazliham Mohd Su’ud and its management for setting up an IGU and also introducing this programme to students in all 12 UniKL campuses with the objective of educating graduates on the ills of corruption and its consequences,” he said.

He added that the government had in 2007 announced the setting up of an integrity and governance unit in all government-linked companies (GLCs) and corporations owned by ministries as well as government departments. It will be supervised by the anti-corruption agency.

The modules of Integrity and Anti-Corruption programme includes topics on introduction to the course, an overview by MACC, integrity vs corruption, white-collar crimes, causes & effects of corruption and corporate liability.

“These modules are formulated by MACC to educate graduates on the importance of upholding strong morals, values and principles and following them constantly once they have graduated and joined the workforce,” he said.

A survey conducted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 2002 on “Perception of Corruption in Malaysia’, he said, showed that 30.5 per cent of the 494 respondents, who were students then, had expressed willingness to accept bribes if they are in power and given the opportunity.

“18 years from the day this study was conducted, the reality of it showed and this is very worrying. MACC statistics from 2015-2019 showed that 2,442 or 52.5% of people arrested are below the age of 40. In other words, those students who responded to

the survey then and are in the workforce now are among those arrested for corruption,” he observed.

“The commitment shown by UnIKL by introducing this programme to students from different fields of study in 12 campuses is testament of this university’s strong belief that we should uphold strong values in life,” he expressed. “I also hope other private institutions will follow UniKL’s path.”

UKM is the first government university to offer a programme in integrity and anti-corruption in 2018, and since 31 December 2019 a total of 583 students have signed up for this course.

Kolej Universiti Islam Melaka offers a similar programme for diploma students (36 students) and degree (24 students) while Universiti Putra Malaysia currently has 34 students enrol for the programme.

Meanwhile, Prof Dato’ Dr Mazliham, in his opening address, said UniKL Board of Directors had approved the creation of an IGU on October 16, 2019. The Unit is headed by En. Abd Latif Osman, former head of MARA IGU, since November 15, 2019.

“I am confident that under the stewardship of En. Abd Latif UniKL IGU will strengthen and improve the process and system governance,” he added.

The Training of Trainers was conducted by three officers from MACC from July 1-2 with the involvement of 38 lecturers from UniKL campuses.