Stop the 'leakage' (Updated)

PUTRAJAYA: The recent arrests by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is a strong reminder to civil servants to stay away from graft.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said involvement in graft is "equivalent to taking away what belongs to the people".
Speaking at the Prime Minister's Department monthly assembly at Perdana Putra today, Najib said the recent action by MACC is a reminder to the civil service to avoid leakage and wastage.
He urged the civil service to make 2017 "the year of delivery", and refrain from working with a "silo mentality" to ensure programmes and initiatives for the rakyat are fulfilled.
"We have drawn up allocations and programmes for the rakyat. If there is any leakage, the rakyat will be disappointed and lose confidence (in the government)," he said.
"Do not take what belongs to the people."
The latest MACC crackdown on corrupt officials resulted in the arrest of the former Tekun chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Rahim Hassan on Sunday.
Abdul Rahim was charged at the Shah Alam sessions court today for allegedly soliciting and receiving RM36,000 in bribes.
The case followed the arrest and detention of a ministry secretary-general and his two sons for alleged corruption and abuse of power.
Last week, MACC seized more than RM5 million in cash and gold bars from the home of the secretary-general, who is a "datuk", in USJ, Subang Jaya.
The raiding team also seized 150 luxury handbags and dozens of luxury watches.
The secretary-general and his two sons are being remanded for seven days from Jan 5 until Jan 11 to facilitate investigations into the case.
On another matter, Najib said 2017 would see Malaysia heading towards a more successful route after going through trying times during the global economic downturn last year.
He said improvement in commodity prices such as crude oil, palm oil and rubber could signal a revival of the country's economy.
"If we look at the big picture of the world scenario, 2016 was indeed a challenging year, with uncertainty in the world economy.
"However, there are signs that provide us with hope and confidence that the situation will improve this year," he added.
Najib also expressed confidence that the position of the ringgit would improve as Bank Negara Malaysia has taken measures to stabilise the currency.
He added that the ringgit was not the only currency suffering depreciation against the US dollar, as 123 out of the 149 world currencies have been similarly affected.