THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad is a no-nonsense man as he has issued warnings to two politicians these past few days for criticising the anti-graft body, saying it was defamatory.

He warned Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh for issuing statements defending Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for denouncing the illegal detention of state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh, a fact that was adjudicated by a court.

Well and good to defend your commission, but Dzulkifli and other enforcement authorities need to draw the line between criticisms and defamation.

And they need to understand this plain fact – that those who are governed are entitled to question those who govern. No one is infallible in a democracy.

The thing is this, criticism and critique lie at the core of a democracy.

Enforcement authorities need to develop a thick skin and continue their duties for the nation, and not warn people of possible defamation when they are being criticised.

In the end, their work counts in a court of law when they do get a conviction for those they have arrested on corruption and power abuse charges – not in being prickly about the conduct of their work.

The government of the day is there to defend them and also castigate them when necessary. After all, if those in MACC can have “budi bicara” or the discretion to either handcuff suspects, then they should have the same discretion to reply to criticisms without crying defamation.

The fact is the MACC and other enforcement authorities are civil servants serving the state, ie the people. Not politicians who jump at the slightest provocation or feel the need to threaten people with lawsuits.

Get on with the work and hand and secure the convictions to stamp out power abuse and corruption. Let the work done be the reply to the criticisms.

And build up on the successes of the previous MACC chief commissioner, Abu Kassim Mohamed. He walked softly and carried a big stick, making MACC a feared authority.

Not warn people off without nothing much to show for all the raids and arrests done. – August 28, 2017.