Thursday, Dec 06, 2012
KUALA LUMPUR: Better understanding on corruption issues in the courts has led to fewer cases being thrown out, says a top prosecutor.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) legal and prosecution division director Datuk Abdul Razak Musa said the setting up of special courts and judges and prosecutors who have better knowledge of such cases were reflected in the higher number of convictions.
Razak said that if previously, about 35 cases were acquitted a year, the number today was much lower with a 75 per cent conviction rate in 2011 and 80 per cent as of November this year.
"I believe that when judges and prosecutors specialise in corruption cases, they know how to deal with it," he said at a seminar on corruption for NGOs and media practitioners here yesterday.
According to court records, 2010 saw 266 convictions in corruption cases and the figure increased to 436 last year while as of November this year, the number of convictions was 362.
Razak said public awareness on corruption and abuse of power had increased, judging by the 13,000-odd complaints received by the MACC.
However, only about 1,000 investigation papers had been opened.
Meanwhile, MACC assistant commissioner Zainuddin Hussin said many were under the impression that corruption involved cash but those who submit false claims and paid for medical certificates could also be charged.
Meanwhile, a former journalist called on the media to not only focus on corruption cases involving big shots and VIPs but also ordinary people.
Datuk Lourdes Charles said the media should report on everyone prosecuted in such cases.
