The Star - Nov 3, 2008

ACA sees jump in graft tip-offs

GEORGE TOWN: The state Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) has been investigating corrupt allegations from all sources including newspaper reports and poison pen letters as long as there is basis, said incoming director Latifah Md Yatim.

“A lot of our information actually comes from poison pen letters. In the first 10 months, the agency received 775 tip-offs which is an increase of 203 or 35.5% compared to the whole of last year.

“We have taken action against 413 of those and it led to the arrest of 23 people including 18 civil servants. I hope the public will continue to support us by giving such information.

“It is actually an offence under Section 17 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997 if someone knowingly does not report a corrupt act,” she said Monday.

Latifah was speaking to reporters after officially taking over the director’s post from her predecessor Nooraziah Abd Manaf at the state headquarters in Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah. The handover of duties was witnessed by the agency’s deputy director-general II Datuk Zakaria Jaffar.

Latifah, 51, was previously the ACA director of Sabah for about two years. She is a highly-experienced officer with more than 26 years in the agency and has served in Pahang and Kuala Lumpur as well.

“My main aim is to curb corruption and create a corruption-free society. I will continue my predecessor’s good work and try to improve upon the measures which she introduced during her one-year tenure in Penang.”

Zakaria said the public should never be afraid to come forward to make reports, adding that the agency had also made it easier for the people to give information via a toll free number (1-800-88-6000), SMS (019-6000103/019-6000104) or e-mail via the agency’s website (www.bpr.gov.my).

“There is now no excuse not to give information. I am sure that with the people’s help, the agency is able to keep corruption at a manageable level as we always act without fear or favour.

“Our new motto is ‘Together, we are able to eradicate corruption’ which was introduced during our recent 41st anniversary. Officers have been urged to be more ‘on the ground’ and to be friendlier with the public so that they would not be afraid to give us information,” he added.