TRANSPARENCY International Malaysia (TI-M) wants the government to introduce reforms in Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to allow it to work independently. 

TI-M president Muhammad Mohan said the reforms included for the appointment of the MACC chief commissioner to be made by Parliament and not the prime minister as practised now.

He also welcomed suggestions to place the anti-graft body itself under the control of Parliament. 

“This move will definitely put MACC in a strong position to perform its task independently, without fear or favour and without any interference from the power and influence of the executive,” said Muhammad in a statement today. 

He added that such reforms would allow the Parliament to appoint a chief commissioner following recommendations from a parliamentary select committee on qualified candidates. 

He also said that the tenure of the office of the chief commissioner should be fixed and the candidate should not be removed even if there is a change of government. 

In addition, he said, the removal of the chief commissioner should only be on specified grounds and presided by a Special Tribunal, just like how judges are removed. 

“The current situation is where the problem lies as MACC’s independence can be compromised if the chief commissioner’s job is at the mercy of the prime minister.” 

He however said that such reforms, especially on the appointment, would be in contrast to Section 5 of the current MACC Act 2009, which states that the chief commissioner is appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the prime minister.

For this, Muhammad said it was necessary to amendment the federal constitution so that the MACC becomes “answerable to our Parliament and not to the vicissitudes of the executive”. 

“This reform needs bipartisan political support but which political party is going to deny this reform is a good one to help save the nation from this evil of corruption that is destroying our nation? 

“TI-M calls on every one to support this move and to make this happen as soon as possible as time is running out in our fight to rid the country of corruption.” – September 6, 2021.