PM invests significant powers and proper oversight in new and improved anti-graft agency
Abdullah speaking at the launch of the Asean seminar on integrity. — Picture by Choo Choy May
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today announced changes to the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), saying that it will be known as the Malaysian Commission on Anti-Corruption (MCAC). It will have the power to hire and fire its own personnel and will grow from 2,000 to some 7,000.
The commission will be assisted by an advisory board of eminent Malaysians who will be able to have oversight over important cases and assure the public that there is no hanky-panky in a probe.
Abdullah, who has been battered by criticisms for not walking the talk in the fight against corruption in his first term, also said that a parliamentary committee on the prevention of corruption will be set up.
This panel can scrutinise the annual report on corruption. Laws will also be passed to protect whistle blowers and those who come forward with evidence of any wrongdoing.
He said: “I have always believed that, given the weight and importance of its work, the ACA must be given freedom to carry out its responsibilities. In fact, one of the first pronouncements I made on anti-corruption was to direct the ACA to carry out its duties 'without fear or favour'. I remain true to this conviction and have never interfered with the work of the ACA.
“It is my fervent hope that by restructuring the ACA, its effectiveness, transparency and accountability will be considerably raised, while public trust in its integrity and independence will be quickly renewed."
Speaking at the launch of the Asean seminar on integrity, he admitted that his government had fallen short of public expectations in the fight against corruption.
Public feedback suggests that Malaysians feel that the institutional and legal framework for anti-corruption remains structurally weak, and prone to abuse.
“They point to the need for a clear separation of powers between the institutions of government as well as a higher degree of transparency and public accountability from enforcement agencies," he said.
Also, the perception is that anti-corruption enforcement is slow and inconsistent.
“Some say that so-called 'big fish' are protected, while the 'small fry' face the full brunt of the law. Whistleblowers are also said to be inadequately protected. In fact, the perception goes so far as to say that enforcement agencies often go after the whistleblower instead of focusing on investigating the actual charges," said Abdullah.
He noted that many Malaysians also feel that the existing public procurement system and procedures for awarding government contracts are rife with opportunities for corruption.
To tackle corruption effectively, he said that the government will:
• restructure the ACA to become a full-fledged “Malaysian Commission on Anti-Corruption". A key element of this system will be an independent “corruption prevention advisory board”. The board will consist of prominent, upstanding members of the community appointed by the King on the advice of the prime minister.
Board members will advise the commission on administrative and operational matters. The board will also be briefed on cases that involve public interest and can act to assure the public that these public interest cases are being dealt with appropriately and adequately.
• set up a “parliamentary committee on the prevention of corruption”. The commission will table its annual report to this committee.
• increase 5,000 officers to the current total of just under 2,000. In addition, the commission will have new terms of service and remuneration in order to attract talented and dedicated individuals to sign up.
• introduce legislation to provide comprehensive protection for whistleblowers and witnesses.
• take immediate steps to improve the public procurement process and reduce opportunities for corruption.
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