Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stressed that he would not compromise with any officers under his ministry found involved in corruption.

He said stern action must be taken so that such a crime would not destroy the integrity of the departments and agencies under the Home Ministry.

"Regardless of the officer's post or rank, I won't shy away and will take action against those who are untrustworthy.

"I want to see the Royal Malaysian Police at the forefront (in the fight against corruption) even though we have to cut off our 'gangrenous hands and feet' which can destroy our whole body. We should be clean and seen to be be clean."

Ahmad Zahid said this in his speech at a reception with 378 participants of the 2016 Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration (DPA) programme at the National Institute of Public Administration in Bukit Kiara, here, today.

He said although the crime index had dropped, public perception towards enforcement officers had not changed, more so with the ongoing investigations into corruption and abuse of power cases linked to a number of police personnel in Melaka and Bukit Aman.

Meanwhile, he reminded the participants of the post-graduate DPA programme who would begin serving in the Malaysian Administrative and Diplomatic Service next week, to always be loyal to the leaders and government of the day.

"When there is a new Cabinet after a general election or a Cabinet reshuffle, there will be ministers coming and going.

"But we should not be bias whoever the minister is. Respect the old and love the new," he said.

The deputy prime minister also reminded them to work hard and carry the nation''s spirit wherever they are posted to, whether in the country or abroad.

-- BERNAMA