The late deputy public prosecutor Kevin Morais and Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) head investigator Novel Baswedan have been bestowed with the inaugural Perdana International Anti-Corruption Champion 2020 Award.

The award was presented by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in conjunction with the launch of Perdana International Anti-Corruption Champion Foundation (PIACCF), in Putrajaya tonight.

In his speech, Mahathir said the award symbolised PIACCF’s appreciation to all the brave officers who suffered in upholding their integrity.

“I would also like to express my utmost regards for all the men and women across the globe who have given their time, lives and commitment in putting an end to the corruption scourge,” he said.

Morais was tragically abducted and murdered in 2015 while investigating a corruption scandal. He was attached to the MACC as a senior federal counsel from 2004 till 2015.

Receiving the award on behalf of Morais was his younger brother Richard Morais (below, right).

Meanwhile, the other recipient, Baswedan, suffered an acid attack on April 11, 2019, which caused a permanent injury to his eye.

The attack was due to a series of highly sensitive cases that he was put to task, especially those that involved high-level politicians and senior police officials in Indonesia.

In his speech, Mahathir also acknowledged the contributions of former attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail, former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz and former MACC chief commissioner Mohd Shukri Abdull in exposing the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.

He said it was a significant case as it became the turning point of Malaysia’s political direction and sparked an awakening among the rakyat.

“Their collective courage and determination brought a kleptocratic regime to its feet, in an unprecedented show of people’s power,” he added.

- Bernama