THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) needs urgent strengthening to address the nation’s challenges in facing corruption, especially when the government is failing in its war against graft, the Malaysian Bar said today.

Its president A.G. Kalidas said in a statement that MACC should be placed beyond the influence of the executive, both administratively and financially, to ensure its impartiality. 

The Bar also called for the creation of a constitutionally mandated Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (IACC), and to ensure the independence and security of tenure of the commissioners serving the IACC.

“To combat corruption on a national level, the Bar calls on the government to strengthen its current anti-corruption laws, adopt effective policies that enhance good governance and accountability.

“It must also provide avenues for training and capacity-building on anti-corruption standards. 

“While these are no silver bullets, they would set Malaysia on the right path to keep rampant corruption in check, possibly eradicate corruption, and uphold its commitments under the United Nations Convention against Corruption,” he said in conjunction with the annual International Anti-Corruption Day, which falls today. 

Kalidas also said in the recent Government Defence Integrity Index for 2020 released by Transparency International Malaysia, Malaysia scored a mere 45% and received a D rating. 

“This indicates a weak institutional resilience to graft overall. 

“Malaysia also dropped six places on the Corruption Perception Index last year,” he said. 

The Bar renewed its call for a new paradigm of open, transparent, and accountable governance, and to eradicate corruption and affirm the rule of law. – December 9, 2021.