The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) opened 50 investigation papers and detained 18 people to assist with cases involving public higher education institutions (IPTAs) last year.

MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil said in the first quarter of this year, the commission had opened three investigation papers and detained two individuals in similar cases involving IPTAs.

He said the figures were part of 70 investigation papers opened and 23 people detained in such cases in the country since 2014.

"Besides this, MACC statistics also showed 54 per cent of 1,267 people arrested by the MACC were aged 40 and below.

"This matter is very worrying and needs to be taken seriously, considering the younger generation are the people who will shape the future of the country," he said in Durian Tunggal here, Monday.

He was speaking at the launch of the corruption-free pledge and corporate integrity pledge signing ceremony for Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), which was also attended by Melaka MACC director Abu Talib Othman. -- Bernama