BUTTERWORTH, April 22 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is intensifying efforts to instil integrity at the grassroots level through the Wira Anti Rasuah (WAR) programme, particularly in schools.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy senior director Datuk S. Karunanithy said the programme, implemented since 2014, aims to educate young people on the dangers of corruption and encourage them to become agents of change.
“The programme provides early exposure to corruption and preventive measures so that students grow into individuals with integrity and become ‘heroes’ in the fight against corruption.
“It is carried out annually in selected schools nationwide, with five schools chosen in Penang this year,” he told reporters after officiating the WAR programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan St Mark, Perai here today.
He said the initiative is strengthened through collaboration with schools, teachers, administrators and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) to ensure integrity is cultivated comprehensively.
Karunanithy said corruption prevention must be continuous rather than seasonal, and requires the involvement of all parties, including the school community.
He also proposed introducing ‘Kedai Jujur’ in Penang to further strengthen integrity education among students, noting that the initiative has been implemented in about 20 schools in Sabah with positive results in fostering honesty and trust.
“Kedai Jujur is an unmanned kiosk where students take items and make payments on their own. It serves as practical training for them to practise integrity in daily life,” said the former Penang MACC chief.
He added that as of March, MACC recorded 17 corruption-related reports in Penang, with 13 investigation papers opened, nine arrests made and 14 charges filed.
-- BERNAMA
