In the media

The National Governance Committee (JKKTN) in Malaysia has introduced several key reforms in 2024 to strengthen good governance. Notable initiatives include drafting the Government Procurement Bill and the Freedom of Information Bill. Additionally, an anti-corruption course has been made mandatory for all university students. Through these measures, the Malaysian government seeks to prevent the misappropriation of public funds and promote transparency.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested 59 staff of public and private universities between 2017 and 2022 for bribery, abuse of power, false claims and other financial offences. One of the cases involved a director of a public university recently, allegedly receiving a car as an inducement to help a company obtain a tender worth about RM1.6 million, while a university professor was also arrested over alleged false claims involving a research fund of RM66,000.

The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) launched the Organisational Anti-Corruption Plan 2022-2024 to support efforts to strengthen governance, integrity, and anti-corruption measures. As an agency under the Higher Education Ministry, PTPTN is committed to supporting the government’s plans to create an environment free from corruption and abuse of power that can jeopardise the organisation’s image.

Dagang Net Technologies Sdn Bhd has signed a memorandum of agreement with four universities in Indonesia to implement Dagang Net eScroll, a blockchain-powered web application for employers, graduates, universities and training providers to authenticate academic and training certificates. This application provides a unique signature and time-stamped certificate that can eliminate forgery, unlike traditional paper-based documents.

In an interview with a local daily newspaper, Malaysia’s Education Minister said that efforts are underway to do a large-scale change in the world of academia. A review of the Statuary Bodies (Discipline and Surcharge) Act 605 to exclude academics from several rules governing civil servants will be carried out. This involves issues of academic freedom, integrity, plagiarism, and others.

A foreign graduate’s research papers were published under the name of his supervisor at the University of Putrajaya. The Ministry of Education has opened an investigation on this matter, encouraging other students who have been “robbed” to lodge a complaint with the ministry.

The Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) has suggested that the Ministry of Education (MoE) introduce anti-corruption education under religious and moral education subjects. The senior vice-chairman stressed that ‘’the most appropriate and effective way to prevent corruption is to start with the schools as it could help bring up a young generation of Malaysians who hate and reject corruption in all forms”. A study of students in 2016 showed that 16% of the respondents from local universities are willing to accept bribes and 18.5% would accept a bribe if they did not have to face any action.

With some using unscrupulous ways just to get titles and academic qualifications, the Government is stepping up its efforts to prevent another avenue from being misused – honorary doctorates. The usage of the honorary “Dr” title is limited to within the awarding university, recipients aren’t allowed to put the “Dr” title in front of their names in public. As a reminder to be vigilant about any misrepresentation and use of fraudulent awards, the Higher Education Ministry sent out guidelines in March on the issuance of honorary doctorates.

The Higher Education Ministry will set up a National Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Registry to curb the production and usage of fraudulent academic titles by individuals and organisations. The ministry said the move will ensure credible use of academic titles, enable the public to verify information and deter bogus issuance of academic certificates. The most common fraudulently used and produced academic title in Malaysia is ‘Dr.’ as in a PhD graduate.

The Higher Education Ministry and Universiti Malaya (UM) will investigate allegations of research fraud involving a group of UM faculty of medicine researchers. The allegations of fraud exploded over social media in the past week, and was subsequently picked up by the mainstream scientific press.The Higher Education Minister has said that he would personally look into the matter. The university has formed an ad hoc committee to investigate the allegation.