KUALA LUMPUR, Saturday (13 December 2014) – Over 1,000 Malaysians participated in Transparency International-Malaysia’s (TI-M) Walk Against Corruption on Saturday at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, organised in collaboration with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), NKRA Against Corruption, Performance Management and Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The large turnout supported the Walk’s theme “A Nation Free of Corruption Starts with You”, as families and individuals participated in the 1.4km Walk, symbolising their commitment to end corruption. Organised for the third year running, the Walk’s aim was to demonstrate public support in fighting corruption across all strata of society as well as to raise awareness, particularly to the youth on the issue.
TI-M’s President, Dato’ Akhbar Satar, sent out a clear message in his welcoming speech saying “You, the Rakyat, are part of the change permeating across the country. We and particularly the youth must all stand as one and pledge against zero tolerance to corruption which includes zero tolerance to accepting bribes and zero tolerance to the giving of bribes.”
In conjunction with United Nations International Anti-Corruption Day (9 December) and with the release of TI’s 2014 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) results on Wednesday 3rd December, TI-M’s Walk Against Corruption marks a significant time for the anti-corruption message to be spread and heard.
Although efforts have been implemented under the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and National Key Result Areas’ (NKRA) initiatives and the MACC’s operating budget increased for 2014, a score of 52 over 100 is not representative of these efforts and investments. Work still needs to be done in improving enforcement, fixing loopholes in laws and generating stronger public will power to curb corruption, particularly amongst the youth.
The high public turnout and participation in TI-M’s Walk Against Corruption is representative of the public’s will and desire for change that also permeates nationwide. TI-M urges the Government and the rest of Malaysia to be receptive to the participatory spirit displayed during Saturday’s Walk and continue to push for enhanced accountability, integrity and good governance for the nation.
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Transparency International-Malaysia is an independent, non-governmental and non-partisan organisation committed to the fight against corruption.
Website: www.transparency.org.my
