Participation of private companies in taking IBR still low: MACC

KUALA LUMPUR: The level of awareness and participation of private companies in taking and signing the Corruption-Free Pledge (IBR) is still low, according to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Shamsun Baharin Mohd Jamil.
In fact, he said only seven private companies in the country had participated in the IBR campaign ever since it was launched early this year.
"Most private companies are not aware of the benefits of the IBR which is actually to their advantage in the long-term. The IBR is a move towards a company obtaining the International Standards Certification, the ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Management System," he told reporters after witnessing the signing of the IBR by Malakoff Corporation Berhad here today.
At the event, Malakoff Group Managing Director Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid led more than 200 staff in taking the pledge.
Malakoff, which is a leading independent water and power producer, is the seventh private company in the country to sign the IBR.
Shamsun Baharin said the private companies' perception that the MACC was more about enforcement rather than prevention had also contributed to them not signing the pledge.
"The MACC is not just about arresting people. We also provide education and prevention so that private companies are more competitive in tackling issues of corruption that could jeopardise their organisations," he said. — Bernama