KUALA LUMPUR: Some 146 civil servants were among the 406 people arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in the first three months of the year.
According to MACC statistics, the civil servants arrested include one person in higher management, management and professionals (50), and support staff (95).
The remaining 260 people nabbed by MACC include members of the public and private sector employees among others.
Malaysian Corruption Watch (MCW) president Jais Abdul Karim said the arrests, despite numerous anti-corruption campaigns, were worrying.
He said a more comprehensive approach was needed to stamp out corruption with an emphasis on prevention and enforcement.
Jais said the relevant agencies need to improve oversight over high-risk sectors.
He said he believed economic problems are also a factor in the increase in corruption cases.
Jais recommended that standard operating procedures be reviewed to reduce opportunities for corruption.
"The effectiveness of placing MACC officers in government departments should also be studied."
