Penang: Penang enforcement officers and other civil servants are being urged to report any bribery attempts directly to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Penang MACC director Datuk S Karunanithy emphasized the importance of reporting bribery to strengthen integrity in the field and empower officers to resist corruption. He encouraged agencies with enforcement units to report any bribery attempts during their operations. The government has a reward system in place for civil servants who report such incidents, which aims to deter corruption and assure officers of their protection.
Karunanithy made these remarks during the Anti-Corruption Dialogue Programme between Penang MACC and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) at KOMTAR. MBPP Mayor Datuk A Rajendran was also present at the event, which was attended by MBPP enforcement personnel and staff. The dialogue underscored the council's role as a strategic partner to MACC in maintaining integrity in public service.
Karunanithy noted that in 2025, Penang MACC received fewer than five formal reports of attempted bribery against civil servants. However, there have been 37 reports of alleged misconduct within the MBPP, including from several enforcement units, indicating a need for officers to be more proactive in lodging formal complaints.
He revealed that five arrests involving MBPP personnel have been made, with all cases currently under investigation and pending referral to the Attorney General's Chambers.
During the event, Karunanithy launched the Penang MACC Mutiara e-flyer, a digital bulletin aimed at spreading anti-corruption messaging more widely among civil servants and the public. Distributed via platforms such as WhatsApp, each issue includes a QR code to facilitate easy sharing among department heads and staff.
"This digital initiative represents a proactive step to ensure anti-corruption communication reaches every level of society and remains readily accessible to those in public service," he stated.