Community influence, an important factor in fighting corruption

SHAH ALAM - Community influence plays an integral role in fighting corruption.

Indonesia Character Building figure Dr Ary Ginanjar Agustin said the fight against corruption is divided into several measures including strict law enforcement and the emotional touch from the community.

"If we look at the situation in the western countries, they are very strict in enforcing legislation on the prevention of corruption.

"While in east Asian countries like Japan, they emphasise spiritual values among the people so that they would feel disgusted and not be blessed if they received a bribe.

"For them (Japanese people), it is better to own a little but honest assets rather than having loads of corrupt assets. So, this is actually the awareness that we want to instill in the community," he told Sinar Harian during his visit to Kompleks Kumpulan Karangkraf here yesterday.

Further, Ary Ginanjar also expressed his gratitude for the Indonesian community's awareness in the fight against integrity misconduct.

He said social media had become a crucial platform for individuals in the republic to reveal corruption-related issues.

"In Indonesia right now, it has become a trend that if a civil servant's wife wears a designer bag, they will share it on social media until it catches law enforcement's attention.

"Similarly, if there are staff who own luxury cars that don't seem to match their salary range, the public will spread the word and cause them to be dismissed," he explained.

He said combating integrity violations or corruption is now the main responsibility of Malaysians, especially Muslims.

"If we read the struggle of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, in the first 13 years, he shaped the faith and good manners of the people and then he proceeded to law enforcement.

"This is what needs to be done, to not only focus on law enforcement but also emphasise behaviour and awareness," said Ary Ginanjar.