Malaysia: MACC and environmental activists team up to beat graft

The Star 4 Apr 17;

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has joined forces with environmental activists and academics to form a network to tackle corruption in environmental management.

“All the parties involved have agreed to form a closer strategic network to share information and strengthen law enforcement against corruption and abuse of power related to environmental issues nationwide,” the MACC said in a statement.

The partnership aims to raise awareness on the impact of corruption on the environment.

Among the environmental NGOs are Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia, Sabahat Alam Malaysia and Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam and the academic institutions included Rimba Research, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Chemical Engineering Department, and Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia Science and Environment Centre.

The partnership would be known as the Environmental Protection and Anti-Corruption Caucus.

“This is to ensure more serious attention is given to violation of the environment and ensure immediate action is taken by the MACC against those involved in corruption and abuse of power involving the environment,” it said.

It said an integrated and sustainable approach is essential to eradicate illegal logging, pollution of rivers and ecosystems, illegal land clearing to prevent tragedies such as floods and soil erosion.


MACC sets up EPACC to tackle corruption, abuse of power involving environment
Bernama New Straits Times 4 Apr 17;

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has set up the Environmental Protection and Anti-Corruption Caucus (EPACC) in collaboration with non-government organisations and environment experts to eradicate corruption and abuse of power on environment issues. MACC in a statement said it was the result of a round table meeting today chaired by MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad to discuss and share information on corruption issues related to the environment.

Among the NGO and experts involved in the discussion were Natural Resources Protective Association Malaysia (PEKA); Forest Research Institute of Malaysia; Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM), Friends Of The Earth Activist Association (KUASA); Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Science and Environment Centre (KIAS) and the Malaysian Institute of Islamic Understanding (IKIM).

“All parties involved agreed to set up a closer strategic cooperation network in information sharing effort and empowering enforcement action in curbing corruption and abuse of power on issues involving environment in the country,” said the statement. --Bernama