Malaysia names and shames 900 graft offenders
More than 900 people convicted of corruption, including high-profile titled personalities, are listed on a website complete with their photographs, personal particulars and case history.
The database of offenders in Bahasa Malaysia and English is published on the official portal of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to remind everyone that it doesn’t pay to accept or give bribes.
The offenders include politicians, civil servants and businesspeople. The case history of each person includes the charge, sentence, the court, trial judge, deputy public prosecutors and defence lawyers.
MACC director of the legal and prosecution division Datuk Abdul Razak Musa said: “Some people complain that the database means double punishment for offenders, to name and shame them. Our stand is that the public should be educated on how serious an offence corruption is.
“We want to create awareness on the penalty they will face if they accept or offer bribes.”
Abdul Razak said there was a misconception, especially among foreigners, that it was “the accepted custom” to bribe.
Last year, the MACC won convictions in 75 per cent of 388 cases. This compares with 72 per cent of 309 cases in 2010.
A total of 463 people were convicted last year, including those who pleaded guilty, compared with 272 in 2010.
Between January and May this year, 211 people were convicted.
The number of people jailed for corruption was not available, but he said 10.9 million ringgits (Bt108.3 million) was paid in fines last year, compared to M$9.5 million in 2010.
