TI-M: Place MACC under Federal Constitution, free to probe high-profile cases
SHAH ALAM - Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) needs to be independent and put under the Federal Constitution.
Transparency International Malaysia’s (TI-M) president Dr Muhammad Mohan said it was in line with the Six Political Demands #MalaysiaTanpaRasuah claims so that the MACC would be free to investigate all corruption cases even if they consisted of high-profile individuals or cases.
"According to the MACC Act 2009, the appointment of the MACC chief commissioner is made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the Prime Minister.
"This is a problem or a serious constraint where the freedom given by the MACC becomes a question mark especially when the government changes and we get a new PM, he can appoint a new commissioner by advising the Agong.
"This is what some of us do not agree with as this does not give freedom for the MACC to investigate cases, especially high-profile cases.
Mohan said when MACC is placed under the constitution, the appointment of chief commissioner would be made by the member of parliaments.
"When MACC is placed under the constitution, the choice of chief commissioner will be made by the MPs where they will shortlist some qualified candidates and will give this recommendation to Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara.
"And it needs to be approved by both chambers before the chief commissioner is appointed.
"Also such process requires two-thirds support in Parliament," he said.
Muhammad was speaking at a press conference organised by #RasuahBusters titled Six Political Demands #MalaysiaTanpaRasuah ‘Apa Dah Jadi?’ which took place at Kumpulan Karangkraf here today.
Other panellists present during the press conference were Rasuah Busters chief Datuk Hussamuddin Yaacub, Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs Chief Executive Officer Tricia Yeoh and Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) executive director Cynthia Gabriel.
Other than that, also present were Undi18 co-founder Tharma Pillai, Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM) chairman Badlishah Sham Baharin and The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) chairman Thomas Fann.
