32,929 Students Nationwide Benefit From MACC’s WAR Programme

SHAH ALAM, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- A total of 32,929 primary and secondary school students across the country have benefited from the Wira Anti-Rasuah (WAR) programme, implemented by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), as of yesterday.

MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Seri Norazlan Mohd Razali said the WAR programme, which was introduced 10 years ago to raise awareness and understanding of the dangers of corruption, has also benefitted 4,434 teachers from 181 schools during the same period.

He explained that the programme is one of MACC’s committed efforts to educate and gain support from all levels of society in combating corruption, using a three-pronged strategy of investigation, prevention, and education.

“MACC frequently carries out awareness and educational activities on corruption offences and their harmful effects through anti-corruption messages and educational programmes involving various stakeholders, including public and private bodies, the general public, international organisations, and religious institutions.

“Collaboration with all agencies is essential and highly encouraged in our effort to nurture a generation of leaders with high academic achievements, who also fully embrace the values of integrity,” he said in a statement today.

Norazlan added that education in schools should not only focus on avoiding corruption but also aim to develop a generation with strong moral character, emphasising honesty and trustworthiness.

"In line with this, MACC works closely with the Ministry of Education by providing anti-corruption educational materials and incorporating anti-corruption and integrity elements into Year 4 and Year 5 Bahasa Melayu textbooks, the exemplar module for Pendidikan Sivik, as well as Pendidikan Agama Islam dan Pendidikan Moral," he said.

He is optimistic that if students internalise and practise the values of integrity, they will not only avoid corruption but also refrain from other offences such as fraud, breach of trust, theft, and misappropriation of assets.

-- BERNAMA