Investigations carried out by the State Anti-Corruption and Vigilance Bureau have revealed cases of corruption within the offices of the Department of Education, particularly in relation to the appointment of teaching and non-teaching staff in government-aided public schools, the payment of subsidies for management purposes, the creation of new unauthorized posts, the fixing of salaries, retirement benefits and the granting of leave. Since 2018, management appointments for non-existent vacancies have been illegally validated. In addition, government-approved orders for posts in aided schools have been deliberately delayed due to non-payment of bribes.

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.