Set up check and balance committees in universities to shape students with integrity

SHAH ALAM - The proposal to establish a special check and balance committee at every university is crucial to curb the culture of corruption among students from the grassroots level.

International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Student Union president Ahmad Muntasir Aznan said the committee will be able to shape students who will fulfill their responsibilities with integrity, trustworthiness and transparency.

"In my opinion, by establishing such special committees, we can contain the issue of corruption and abuse of power among students.

"The check and balance committee must be transparent in presenting audits for each department and any suspicion that arises must be reported directly to the university.

"The university should promote a culture of integrity through off-campus activities that can nurture their character," he told Sinar.

On Oct 23, last year, a postgraduate student from a local university pleaded guilty to 15 charges of accepting bribes amounting to RM9,700 at the Kuantan Sessions Court.

According to the charges, the accused had received the bribes for providing early information in connection with projects that were to be carried out by the Prime Minister's Department Economic Planning Unit (EPU).

Commenting further, Muntasir said the culture of corruption in universities reflected the socio-economic flaws in society which was becoming a norm for the younger generation.

He emphasised that if such behaviour continued to be normalised in life, it will have adverse implications for the country's development.

"We cannot continue to normalise this culture, especially among students who are assets to the nation," he said.