Penang MACC Urges Civil Servants, Enforcement Officers To Report Bribery Attempts

GEORGE TOWN, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- Penang enforcement officers and other civil servants are being urged to report any bribery attempts directly to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Penang MACC director Datuk S Karunanithy said reporting such attempts is essential to strengthen integrity in the field and empower officers to refuse corruption.

"We encourage all agencies with enforcement units to come forward and report any element of bribery during their operations. The government has established a reward system for civil servants who report such incidents.

“This mechanism should be fully used to deter corruption and give officers the confidence that they are protected, " he told reporters following the Anti-Corruption Dialogue Programme between Penang MACC and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) at KOMTAR. Also present was MBPP Mayor Datuk A Rajendran. 

The dialogue was attended by MBPP enforcement personnel and staff, emphasising the council’s role as a strategic partner to MACC in upholding integrity in public duties.

On a separate note, Karunanithy reported that in 2025, Penang MACC received fewer than five formal reports of attempted bribery against civil servants.

However, the agency has received 37 reports of alleged misconduct from within the MBPP, including from several enforcement units, which Karunanithy said signals that officers must become more willing to lodge formal complaints.

"To date, five arrests involving MBPP personnel have been made. All cases are still under investigation and will be referred to the Attorney General's Chambers," he added. 

During the event, Karunanithy also launched the Penang MACC Mutiara e‑flyer, a monthly digital bulletin designed to spread anti‑corruption messaging more widely among civil servants and the public.

Distributed via platforms such as WhatsApp, each issue will feature a QR code to ease sharing between department heads and their staff.

“This digital initiative represents a proactive step to ensure anti‑corruption communication reaches every level of society and remains readily accessible to those in public service,” he said.

-- BERNAMA