KUALA LUMPUR: Punishment for corruption cases should be reviewed to provide for heavier sentences as existing penalties have no effect on offenders, said graft watchdog Transparency International Malaysia.
Its president Datuk Akhbar Satar said heavier penalties are called for in view of the persistent threat of corruption plaguing the nation. It would seem that despite the punishment in place, it has not been a deterrent.
“The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act was an improvement on the anti-corruption legislation, after 50 years and experience learnt there should be a thorough review to make anti-corruption laws even stronger.
“A higher penalty would also deter would-be offenders,” he said in a statement today.
He pointed out that currently, the general penalty for any corruption-related offence in the MACC Act is a jail term not exceeding 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
“If ‘A’ receives a bribe amounting to RM5,000, the penalty will be imprisonment and a fine of RM25,000.
“If ‘B’ receives a bribe amounting to RM1,000, he/she will be jailed and fined RM10,000 as the minimum fine takes precedence as the penalty charge on the value of the bribe amounts to less than RM10,000,” he said.
In his statement, Akhbar also cited various high-profile cases involving top officials including that of a former Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Mohamad Khir Toyo, who was charged with knowingly obtaining a valuable thing as a public servant by paying inadequate consideration for a piece of property.
On June 8, National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption (GIACC) director-general Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, had said that the National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP) would be drafted to address issues pertaining to governance, integrity and corruption.
Abu Kassim, a former MACC chief, added that the NACP will replace the National Integrity Plan, launched by the previous government.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had also announced that the government will be implementing a no-gift policy as one of the measures to mitigate corruption among government officers.