Saturday May 10, 2008

Malaysian panel to be similar to Hong Kong’s ICAC

By LOURDES CHARLES

HONG KONG: The Malaysian Commission on Anti-Corruption (MCAC) will very likely be structured along Hong Kong’s much-revered Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

ACA deputy director-general Datuk Abu Kassim Mohammed said the MCAC too would have several committees, including an advisory panel.

He said the advisory panel would be made up of professionals like accountants, architects, doctors, lawyers, academicians, media experts and CEOs of corporate organisations.

“The panel will help the commission and Government from being accused of covering up or protecting those involved in suspected corrupt practices.

“Although the panel cannot make any statement on cases presented to it, nonetheless its involvement in the advisory panel will give confidence to the public that all investigations had been properly scrutinised and monitored before a case is dropped or closed,” Abu Kassim told The Star.

Top cops: Musa (left) chatting with his Hong Kong counterpart Commissioner of Police Tang King-shing.

Earlier, he met with ICAC acting commissioner Daniel Li who briefed him and his delegation on the commission’s function and method of operations.

Also present at the briefing were Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan, ACA director of the Legal and Prosecution Department Abdul Razak Musa, Deputy Parliamentary Draftsman Datuk Engku Nor Faizah Engku Atek, Public Service Department director of organisational development Faridah Ali and several senior officers from the ACA.

Abu Kassim said the ACA would present a detailed structure and composition of the panel to the Government which had agreed in principal to the setting up of the advisory panel.

It is learnt that the ICAC advisory panel members in Hong Kong are not paid any allowance or salary.

To a question, Abu Kassim said the ICAC commissioner was appointed by and is directly answerable to the Chief Executive and is required to report regularly to the executive council on important policy issues, including the corruption situation and major operational matters.

He said the ICAC was responsible only for investigations and collection of evidence while the decision to initiate prosecution is the sole prerogative of the secretary of justice (in Malaysia, the Attorney-General).