The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) gave out over RM50,000 in rewards last year to civil servants in Sabah who turned down and reported bribe offers.
Sabah MACC director Datuk S. Karunanithy said the reward programme, which started back in 2011, aims to encourage integrity and ethical conduct among government officers, according to The Borneo Post.
Anyone who reports it will be rewarded with the same amount
Karunanithy explained that if a civil servant turns down a bribe and reports it to the MACC, they’ll get a reward equal to the amount offered.
He said once the case is fully investigated and ends in a conviction, it goes to a state-level committee led by the MACC, along with representatives from the Public Complaints Bureau, the State Audit Department, and the Sabah Public Service Department.
“We have a reward policy. For example, if a civil servant is offered a RM10,000 bribe and reports it, they’ll receive a RM10,000 reward. Last year, MACC disbursed RM52,850 to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and RM2,000 to the Sabah Immigration Department.”
However, he clarified that the reward scheme is strictly for civil servants. Members of the public who report corruption are not eligible for any monetary compensation.
Datuk s. Karunanithy
“It reflects a strong commitment to integrity”
Certificates of appreciation are also given to officers involved, and in cases where multiple individuals are part of the effort, supporting personnel may be recognised as well.
“Even in cases involving small bribes, say RM100, we propose a minimum reward of RM500 to acknowledge the officer’s integrity. Refusing a bribe is already commendable, but when an officer takes the extra step to file a formal report with the MACC, that’s where this initiative comes in. It reflects a strong commitment to integrity,” he said.
He also shared an example where an officer unknowingly received an envelope containing cash. Upon discovering the money, the officer immediately handed it over to the MACC, and was rewarded for doing the right thing.
For illustration purposes only
“Our goal is to foster a culture of accountability”
Karunanithy added that the MACC will continue prioritising prevention, education, and monitoring efforts, particularly through the oversight of government-linked companies (GLCs) under the Sabah Maju Jaya initiative.
He called on state government departments to take a more active role in curbing corruption, emphasising that rejecting bribes shouldn’t just be about rewards, but about upholding values and the duty that comes with being a public servant.
“Our goal is to foster a culture of accountability within the public sector. We want civil servants to realise that integrity isn’t just expected, but it’s also valued. And when they choose to do the right thing, they won’t be standing alone. There’s recognition and reward waiting for them,” he said.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know down in the comments!
