MARCH 29 — Following the question raised by Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah) in a question to the prime minister during the Minister’s Question Time (MQT), the unity government should seriously consider reforming the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
This despite the prime minister’s statement in the Dewan Rakyat that the MACC is “an independent body.”
Independence should be secured, among others, 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.
The MACC will thus be overseen by a parliamentary committee which will function, among others –
Ø to consider proposed recommendations for appointments to the MACC;
Ø to examine reports tabled in Parliament relating to the MACC;
Ø to examine trends and changes in corruption and reporting to Parliament on desirable changes to the functions, powers, procedures, structure and staffing of the MACC; and
Ø to review the sufficiency of the MACC’s budget and finances and reporting on the outcome of that review.
Removal of the MACC chief from office on the grounds of misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity should require a request of each House of the Parliament.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
