Working against corruption in your own country is tough enough,but imagine working against corruption in a foreign country, where the culture and practices are completely different to your own. That is the work Dr. Chris Saville does.

Born in the UK and educated at Oxford, Dr. Saville is a PhD holder, a qualified assessor, and a specialist in management development. Originally landing on Malaysian shores 20 years ago, his rise to Principal Advisor to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy came about when the National Integrity Plan was launched in 2003.

“I was asked to be a part of the team that tried to work out a way of measuring standards of integrity,” he says. “I wrote a book called Ideas for Enhancing Integrity and was then asked to write a business plan for the academy. Then I worked on designing a program for a set code of ethics and, eventually, Datuk Abu Kassim Mohamed [MACC Chief Commissioner] asked if I would be interested in working for the commission on a contract basis. That is how I got assigned to the inspection and consulting division.”

Now an honorary Malaysian, Dr. Saville views the fight against corruption as an ongoing one. “If you had asked me about the situation this time last year I would have said it is slowly getting worse. But about 18 months ago I began to sense a change in people; we are turning a corner. Malaysians are more aware that corruption is a serious problem. Traditionally, they always tended to associate corruption with big businesses and politicians, but they are beginning to see that is affects us all. The fact that we’ve improved our corruption index rating makes me feel quite positive about it now.”

As an advisory board member, Dr. Saville’s work involves the teaching and implementation of anti-corruption modules. Keeping in line with the need for technology, Dr. Saville has devised a program called Integros that helps companies identify the areas that are most vulnerable to corruption. “Corruption is based on juxtaposition of two things – human greed and opportunity,” he explains. “We cannot do much about human greed but we can systematically reduce opportunities for corruption.”

The main function of Integros is to pinpoint hot spots that are most susceptible to corrupt behaviour. It then identifies the actions needed to be taken to reduce these opportunities. “Malaysia has got good laws but, unfortunately, we are not that good at enforcing them. What we try to do is to work with companies that are committed to fighting corruption by putting systems in place,” he says. “The vast majority of people want to behave well and subscribe to good ethical values, but in many cases they get caught up in a system that forces them to go along with corrupt practices.”

Throughout his time in the country, Dr. Saville has identified the need for an overall education against corruption for the masses. “A lot of work has to do with raising awareness of what a high standard of integrity is. The key focus is to help people to think for themselves, as a mindset change can only happen through the individual,” he explains. “If we are able to identify and measure our actions, then we are more likely to change.”

Dr. Saville believes that giving people the freedom to make those ethical decisions also plays a part: “If you are ordered to do something, the immediate reaction is usually a negative one. People are more likely to adopt to change if they are given choices. With enough education they can make the right ones.”

Ultimately though, it all boils down to the individual: “Trying to bring out attitude change is the greatest challenge. Sometimes they are trapped in ways of doing things without thinking; actions borne out of habit. We have got to teach Malaysians how to think and act appropriately in different situations.”

Both Dr. Saville and the MACC have risen to this challenge, conducting modules and workshops both locally and internationally. “We have a strategic partnership with the International Academy in Vienna and will be running a program on anti-corruption that will be taught here. This is the first time something at that intellectual level will be held here and is an indicator of the growing esteem in which academy is held,” he says with pride. “We will come up with the material for the modules which will be taught by Malaysian officers. It really is quite an honour for the country.”

Despite the challenges he faces every day, Dr. Saville is positive about the years to come. “I’m certain of the growing maturity of Malaysians. There’s a lot to be done still, but compared to other countries in the world who gained independence at the same time, Malaysia is ahead of the curve. We have set up anti-corruption academies and programmes for this very purpose and although we may struggle with the application of certain practices, we are a democracy – and that is something to be admired for.”

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Visit www.sprm.gov.my for more information on the MACC.

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Source: Senses of Malaysia May-Jun 2013

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