NST Online today reported several groups were pressing for this screening system to be brought back.
According to its report today, the lie-detector test was used together with a comprehensive database on asset declarations to red flag those living beyond their means.
But it apparently was too effective — one of the reasons its use was discontinued.
According to the report, an entire division of a government agency failed the polygraph test.
Apparently, during the tests, the personnel, most of them senior officers, admitted to stealing money and abusing their positions for personal gain.
That was the last time the agency used the polygraph test to screen its officers, according to Akhbar Satar, president of the Malaysian chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, who conducted the tests.
Akhbar said there were 30 well-trained polygraphers in various enforcement agencies then.
“These officers had, among others, been trained in interrogation techniques to solicit confessions and detect attempts to deceive the examiners.
“Well-trained examiners can even, at the end of the process, put a figure on how much a corrupt official has squandered.”
Akhbar said the Public Service Commission (PSC) should conduct random polygraph tests to identify good officers who had gone rogue.
“People change. Some decent officers may become influenced by bad apples and join them.
“The polygraph test can also serve to clear a wrongly accused person.”
Many years ago, the civil service apparently hooked up job applicants to polygraphs as part of the routine screening process.
But the practice was scrapped because it met resistance from several government agencies and some took exception to being treated like criminals.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Baki said the PSC should consider making polygraph tests a part of its recruitment policy to arrest the corruption plaguing the sector.
He said such tests would ensure those with corrupt tendencies were red-flagged from the start.
He said for a start, lie detectors could be used to check on those applying for Grade 41 positions and above as these candidates would be assigned to managerial positions. They could even become magistrates.
“Polygraph tests are good as we can at least check the background of officers, not only on whether the person is corrupt, but also for other criminal elements.
“Those who fail the lie-detector test must not be considered for employment.”
Azam said MACC had stopped strapping new recruits to a lie-detector at PSC’s instruction.
But MACC’s trained polygraphers still used the system in investigations and information-gathering.
“Police and MACC still use the polygraph test during interrogations.
“The commission only uses it on those who give their consent. This is the requirement set by the manufacturers who supplied us the equipment.”
Former National Institute of Integrity president Dr Mohd Tap Salleh, who is also executive council member of the Alumni Association of Administrative and Diplomatic Officers, said the authorities should consider whipping civil servants guilty of corruption.
This, he said, was because graft was a disturbing trend that damaged the reputation of the service and the country.
“Apart from jail time, corrupt officials must also be whipped.”