KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 — The practice of offering ‘hush money’ or using small rewards to cover up wrongdoing may seem harmless, but it is, in fact, the root of corruption that can undermine future generations, said Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) director Mohamad Zakkuan Talib.
He said that integrity must be nurtured from home and strengthened across all levels of society.
“Parents must instil honesty and trustworthiness from an early age. Do not normalise giving ‘hush money’ to hide mistakes.
"Likewise, paying for ‘cables’ (connections) must stop. That is where corruption begins, often unnoticed,” Zakkuan said.
Speaking to the press after the Desa Bebas Rasuah 2025 programme at Dataran KAMARA, Kampung Malaysia Raya today, he noted that corruption rarely starts in boardrooms, as it often begins with small actions that gradually become accepted behaviour.
“Corruption is like fire. It may seem small, but left unchecked, it can burn homes, villages and entire nations. When students buy exam answers or village leaders show favouritism due to bribes, public trust begins to erode,” Zakkuan said.
While the MACC can investigate and prosecute, true success depends on public support, with the community as the front line in building an integrity-driven generation.
Since taking office four months ago, he said public tip-offs have increased, driven by outreach efforts and greater awareness of whistle-blower rewards for information leading to convictions.
The programme today involved several agencies, including the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), and the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), with Bank Islam as a strategic partner.
Activities included an anti-corruption forum titled 'Building a Corruption-Free Generation,' featuring actor Ebby Yus and community leader Khairul Salleh Hasan, along with a children’s integrity-themed colouring contest, exhibitions, health screenings, Rahmah sales, and lucky draws.
“Integrity starts with ‘I’. If civil servants, students and community leaders are clean, so too will be the nation,” Zakkuan said.
