Corruption should be classified as terrorism against the State and crime against humanity as it is more insidious and dangerous to the survival of the nation than global terrorism.

Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (ACAB) chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim said therefore the advisory board fully supported the plea of the new Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner to the government to declare corruption as the nation''s number one public enemy.

"The call is timely as the MACC under the new leadership is taking the fight into enemy territory. The momentum must not be allowed to suffer for lack of political will of the highest order and priority," he said in a statement here today.

He said by extension, the appeal to treat corruption as public enemy number one was not intended exclusively for the government but equally for the people of Malaysia as a whole to claim ownership.

MACC chief commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad previously in a dialogue session with senators called on the government to declare corruption and power abuse as the country''s number one enemy.

He said corrupt enforcement officers and individuals, entrusted with power, have contributed to the widespread of negative issues including drugs, illegal immigrants, smuggling, leakages of national revenue, border issues, financial crimes, gambling, and prostitution.

-- BERNAMA