KEPALA BATAS, Feb 28 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday launched its "Sahabat Cilik” initiative simultaneously at 14 schools nationwide to inculcate anti-corruption attitude among pupils.

MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad said the initiative was introduced following the launch of the Anti-Corruption Revolution Movement (Gerah) on Aug 1 last year involving those aged 18 years and above.

"It is high time that anti-corruption education needs to be inculcated as early as possible. Hence, the MACC felt it was called to play a part by collaborating with the Education Ministry. We want to educate the pupils to know what corruption is and its repercussion.

"We (the country) will be able to produce a new generation of Malaysians who are not only feel the hate for corruption but also feeling responsible to say no to corruption, be they as the receiver or the one who requested for it,” he told a press conference after launching the MACC Sahabat Cilik at Sekolah Kebangsaan Hashim Awang here today.

Dzulkifli said the launch was also in line with the government’s agenda in making the National Transformation 2050 (TN50) a success.

Meanwhile, he also said the MACC was planning to launch a club to expose the students to the commission’s activities at an early stage.

"We are in talks with the Education Ministry… Next, we might launch (the club) but we have not decided the name,” said Dzulkifli.

He said the MACC was also planning to incorporate the elements of anti-corruption in the education system.

Earlier, Dzulkifli launched the MACC’s mascot, ‘Commissioner DZ’, which was created in collaboration with the Animonsta Studios. — Bernama