Kuala lumpur: The growing influence of social media, which shapes public perception and often delivers premature judgments before investigations are completed, is now the biggest challenge to the integrity of corruption probes, said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya. He emphasized that in the digital era, allegations can go viral within minutes without proper verification, creating what he described as a 'social media court' that passes judgment on enforcement agencies even while investigations remain at the evidence-gathering stage.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Khusairi pointed out that if the MACC does not act immediately, they are accused of protecting certain parties. Conversely, if firm action is taken in accordance with the law, the commission is labeled as being selective or politically motivated. He asserted that every action taken by the MACC is based on evidence, the law, and established procedures, and not on social media pressure, public sentiment, or the interests of any party. He made these remarks at the Journalism Workshop: Understanding the Role of the MACC in the Fight Against Corruption programme.

Ahmad Khusairi highlighted that such perceptions pose significant challenges to the commission, particularly since corruption investigations often require elements of surprise and strict confidentiality, especially in complex cases involving multiple parties with shared interests. He explained that without secrecy, suspects may have the opportunity to flee, collude with associates, or tamper with evidence, including destroying crucial documents.

He elaborated that in corruption cases, both parties often stand to gain, unlike other crimes where there are clear victims. Therefore, investigations require comprehensive scrutiny, including financial analysis, asset examination, mapping of networks, and detailed profiling. At the same time, he acknowledged that ethical investigative journalism grounded in authentic documentation has played an important role in exposing abuses of power and information leaks, occasionally prompting official MACC investigations.

However, Ahmad Khusairi cautioned that rushed or incomplete reporting based on unverified sources could damage reputations, disrupt investigations, and undermine the course of justice. He emphasized that the MACC values every complaint and report received, as it reflects public trust in the institution. He concluded by stating that as long as the public continues to come forward with complaints, it shows that confidence remains, and the commission's responsibility is to ensure that every piece of information is assessed professionally and that every action taken is based strictly on facts and the law.