Putrajaya, 24 Feb. - The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the media need to work closely together in order to ensure anti-corruption messages spread widely and effectively.

The MACC Chief Commissioner, Datuk Seri Azam Baki said that cooperation between the MACC and the media should continue because the media plays an important role to help the agency in shaping the minds of the people so that they know the threat of corruption and its impact on religion, race and country.

"The media can cover news on community prevention and education programs that have been and are being implemented such as the Anti-Corruption Student Force (AMAR) program involving Institutions of Higher Education, the Wira Antirasuah (WAR) program among school students, anti-corruption education programs through culture and artistic activities as well as spreading anti-corruption messages through e-sports platform".

Apart from that, the initiatives contained in the National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP) 2019-2023 should also be disclosed to the community so they understand the initiatives that have been agreed by in the previous Cabinet Special Committee on Anti-Corruption (JKKMAR) Meetings," he said.

He mentioned it during his Luncheon Talk while addressing the senior editorial team from the Malay press at MACC Headquarters here today.

He added that efforts to support the MACC in combating corruption such as the initiative carried by the Sinar Harian newspaper which established Sinar Rasuah Busters by inviting the community to support the desire to fight corruption in this country is a great effort. 

Those participated in this event were the Editor-in-Chief from the Pertubuhan Berita Nasional Malaysia (BERNAMA); Media Mulia Sdn. Bhd (Utusan Malaysia and Kosmo); Sinar Karangkraf and New Straits Times Press Group (Berita Harian and Harian Metro).

Also present were the Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention), Dato 'Sri Shamshun Baharin Mohd. Jamil; Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations), Dato Sri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya; Senior Director of Investigations, Datuk Seri Norazlan Mohd. Razali and Director of Strategic Communication Division, PKPj Kamaruddin M. Ripin.