THE recent unilateral appointment of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner by the prime minister has raised more questions than answers. I believe that the core difference of concerns, by different groups, whether Bersih or Bar Council, relate to three distinct words.

These words are governance, management and administration. 

Governance is the whole system of deployment of institutional powers and authority to “govern” a nation, within its particular rules and culture of a parliamentary democracy.

Management is the modern art of supervising and administrating a modern corporation consistent within its differing roles of “governance” and “management or administration” by the team of “appointed managers.” Owners are role-defining governors.

Administration is the fine art and science of organising and administering all organisations within its agreed rules and procedures, consistent with the governance principles and the rule of law in a constitutional democracy; which is Malaysia.

Responsibility with accountability

Pakatan Harapan formed the government after the 14th general election because of three critical factors:

1. Malaysians were sick and tired of the culture of bribery and corruption embedded in the government;

2. The reorganisation of four collaborating but opposing parties, which provided a platform for new leadership with Dr Mahathir Mohamad as their prime ministerial candidate; and

3. PH made some key proposals for change and transformation in written form, for the first time in Malaysian election history.

The cabinet is the executive arm of the government, but it is accountable to Parliament. Therefore, building and growing the accountability of the executive was the primary failure of the last 60 years of governance.

The two other arms of governance are the legislature (Parliament) and the judiciary. All three need to be improved, and we want the new administration to be aware that it is not just the new executive leadership alone that must administer the country, but also new governance.

Such governance makes requisite accountability and demands all right, good, and truthful questions to be asked and which must be answered in Parliament. There can be no excuses. 

Therefore, the protests of the Bar Council, Bersih, and some MPs are relevant, and we want the MACC chief commissioner to be accountable to both houses of Parliament.

Good governance must start in Parliament and needs to be translated for Good Governance vide Special and Select Committees.

Such ultimate accountability must remain with Parliament. – June 16, 2019.

* KJ John worked in public service for 32 years, retired, and started an NGO for which he is Chairman of the Board. He writes to inform and educate, arguing for integration with integrity in Malaysia. He believes such a transformation has to start with the mind before it sinks into the heart!

* KJ John worked in public service for 32 years, retired, and started a civil group for which he is chairman of the board. He writes to inform and educate, arguing for integration with integrity in Malaysia. He believes such a transformation has to start with the mind before it sinks into the heart!

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.