THE government’s readiness to implement Transparency International Malaysia’s recommendation for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to be placed under the purview of parliament has to be translated into action if the government is reform driven.

It allows not only parliamentary oversight over the anti-graft agency but also lends towards ensuring its independence by giving the MACC chief security of tenure.

The appointment of the MACC chief should be by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong on the recommendation of the prime minister after the recommended candidate has been approved by a parliamentary select/joint committee.

MACC will thus be overseen by a parliamentary committee, which will function, among others, to:

• consider proposed recommendations for appointments to MACC;

• examine reports tabled in parliament relating to MACC;

• examine trends and changes in corruption and reporting to parliament on desirable changes to the functions, powers, procedures, structure and staffing of MACC; and

• review the sufficiency of MACC’s budget and finances and report on the outcome of that review.

With parliamentary oversight, the removal of the MACC chief from office on the grounds of misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity will require parliament’s approval as well.

The MACC chief then is like a High Court judge with security of tenure. It goes a long way towards enduring independence. – March 31, 2023.

* Hafiz Hassan reads The Malaysian Insight.