KUALA LUMPUR: Kota Kinabalu's Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), encourages all companies in the country to implement the Organisational Anti-Corruption Plan (OACP) to enjoy the tax incentives offered by the government.
The Chief Commissioner of MACC, Tan Sri Azam Baki, said that previously, the tax incentives under Subsection 34(6)(h) of the Income Tax Act 1967 were only offered to government-linked companies (GLCs).
According to him, the expansion of tax incentives to all companies for the implementation of the OACP was announced by the Prime Minister, who is also the Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"The Finance Minister has agreed to extend the same tax deductions to the development of the Organisational Anti-Corruption Plan (OACP) created by companies.
"I strongly encourage all companies to develop and implement their respective OACP and take advantage of these incentives," he said at the Integrity, Governance, and Anti-Corruption Convention 2023 (KITA 2023) jointly organised by the Sabah State Government and MACC here today.
Azam said that MACC remains committed to ensuring that the desire and hope of making Malaysia free from corruption are carried out with all the agency's strength and power.
"In addition to aggressively and proactively implemented operational and punitive actions, preventive measures and incentives are also introduced."
"For instance, for companies implementing education and anti-corruption programs, tax deductions under Subsection 34(6)(h) of the Income Tax Act 1967 can be claimed for the organised programs," he said.
He also said that strengthening efforts to combat corruption in the country aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, in addition to the concept of 'Malaysia Madani' to make Malaysia a developed, prosperous and harmonious nation.
Azam said that SDG 16, among other things, outlines the goal of creating a peaceful and inclusive society for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
"What is aspired to in the 'Malaysia Madani' concept, 'Economy Madani,' and SDG will not succeed if integrity does not become the core of every transaction and service provided.
"The enforcement of the law is seen as weak, undocumented foreign immigrants (Pati) freely enter and exit, public fund mismanagement is rampant, and procurement processes are irregular, all of which are consequences of the lack of integrity in public services," he said.
Meanwhile, Azam acknowledged the Sabah government's commitment to combating corruption, strengthening governance, and promoting integrity in the state.
According to him, the directives issued by the state government concerning these three matters provide a clear indication of the commitment of the Sabah government, which has not been seen yet in any other state government.
"On the recommendation of the MACC, the Chief Minister of Sabah issued Chief Minister's Directive No. 1 of 2023 on Strengthening Governance, Integrity, and Anti-Corruption (GIA) in the Administration of the State of Sabah, which is expected to act as a catalyst towards achieving an effective integrity-based governance excellence."
Azam hoped that the cooperation established between the Sabah State Government and MACC can be maintained to strengthen GIA in all affairs and services within the Sabah State Government administration.
