Kota bharu: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is strengthening its anti-corruption education approach at the grassroots level by emulating the strategies of countries that have recorded high Corruption Perception Index (CPI) scores such as Denmark and Norway.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, MACC Community Education Division director Datuk Ahmad Nizam Ismail stated that the grassroots approach is not because the youth are exposed to corruption, but rather to instill the value of integrity among the younger generation who are the country’s future assets. He emphasized that this effort is a preventive education method focusing on character building, not just providing information about corruption offences.
Ahmad Nizam highlighted that countries like Denmark and Norway, which have achieved high CPI scores, began integrity education at the grassroots level. The MACC aims to emulate this approach by nurturing noble values in the people, rather than merely discussing corruption. He conveyed these thoughts during the Opening Ceremony of the Unleash Urself @ Rakan Muda (Dikir Barat) Kelantan State Level Programme at the Kelantan State Youth and Sports Complex.
The MACC’s initiative is to ensure Malaysia’s younger generation is formed with high moral and character values, enabling them to become individuals with integrity who can propel the country towards progress. Ahmad Nizam clarified that the MACC’s outreach to the grassroots is not due to a vulnerability to corruption among the youth, but to cultivate integrity, honesty, and respect for others’ rights.
This educational move aligns with the launch of the ‘Keep Malaysia Clean’ initiative by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on October 1, marking the MACC’s 58th anniversary. The MACC’s long-term goal is to position Malaysia among the world’s top 25 countries in the CPI by fostering integrity awareness across all societal levels, beginning at the grassroots.
Additionally, Ahmad Nizam noted that cultural arts programmes, like dikir barat, are effective in uniting communities and creatively conveying anti-corruption messages. The MACC plans to elevate this cultural art not only in Kelantan but also nationally.