Speaking at a forum titled “Solutions to reform the MACC” today, Rasuah Busters’ Hussamuddin Yaacub said the media should not be distracted from the root cause of the problems at play.

“The media shouldn’t obsess over Azam Baki and look at the wider picture instead.

“We must not overlook larger issues because the root cause of the problem is a flawed system of governance.”

He added that a cultural reboot was needed to establish a moral system in the country.

“Malaysia has no standard or value system. We have politicians that steal yet can still become excos. We need a high moral system that public figures will be held to.”

Hussamuddin, who is also group chairman of Kumpulan Media Karangkraf, said he had no political agenda and simply wished for a clear system to differentiate between right and wrong.

“The message isn’t to make an example of Azam Baki or the MACC but to overhaul the entire system.

“We need to set a common standard and push out the wrongdoers. It’s not about training our guns on a particular politician, official or political party but establishing a value system for the people and laws for institutions.”

He added that the people, police, political parties and institutions must all reform to have “good intentions”, for the betterment of the country.

The forum was organised by Rasuah Busters at Kumpulan Media Karangkraf, Shah Alam, and had panellists from the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4), Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M), Bersih, and Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia.

The panelists presented and endorsed a proposal to reform the MACC, which was originally drafted in 2015 by the Malaysian Bar, IDEAS, C4 Center, TI-M and The Citizens’ Network for a Better Malaysia.