Transparency International Malaysia has proposed that the government revamp the Anti-Corruption Agency, making it an Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac).

Its president Tunku Abdul Aziz said this new commission could work on a similar line as the highly respected and effective Icac of Hong Kong and New South Wales, Australia.

This was one of several measures he called on the government to adopt in eradicating corruption to show its commitment to good and clean governance, he said in a media statement today.

Tunku Abdul Aziz said that the government must implement these measures to silence the criticism that it maintained a closed and corrupt regime.

"Ministers, including the Prime Minister, must declare their assets and those of their spouses and immediate families to an independent, all-party parliamentary commission, with information accessible to the public," said Tunku Abdul Aziz, who is also the vice-chairman of Transparency International.

Accountable

He added that government must ensure that the public procurement procedures, including those relating to privatisation, are transparent and open to public scrutiny.

"There must also be a greater public access to information leading eventually to the passing of the Freedom of Information Act. The government must operate in a totally accountable way, exercising its mandate with the sole object of serving the interests of the many over those of the few," he added.

He said that the movement was pleased with the government taking a serious view of the non-compliance of senior civil servants in declaring their assets.