The government has no plans to make the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) accountable to Parliament, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz.

Replying to Parliamentary Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) in the Dewan Rakyat today, Mohd Nazri said the government is satisfied with the ACA's efficiency in handling its responsibilities.

Lim had said he was disappointed with action taken to curb corruption since Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took office in November 2003.

However, Mohd Nazri countered this, saying: "Even before we place ACA under the Parliament, the opposition has questioned (its credibility)."

He said such perceptions are hampering the agency from carrying out its responsibilities, including investigation of members of Parliament.

Lim also asked whether or not an "international media conspiracy" exists in relation to alleged corruption in Malaysia.

He based the question on recent reports in the International Herald Tribute and Financial Times. The latter published a report on April 12 under the headline 'Mission impossible to stop the rot in Malaysia'.

Umno deputy Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin had earlier told the International Herald Tribune that the premier had decided the government would let "bygones be bygones" by not digging up alleged corruption cases that occurred before the general election in March last year. Khairy is also Abdullah's son-in law.

Mohd Nazri replied that he did not know whether or not a conspiracy exists, and said he would leave this to Lim's perceptions.

The minister had earlier given an assurance that no one involved in corruption would escape graft charges, regardless of their status.

Restrictions 'still needed'

The House was also told today that the government would not review the Restricted Residence Act 1933.

Deputy Internal Security Minister Noh Omar said the Act is still in use to curb and deal with activities, including criminal offences, that breach public order. These include gambling, prostitution, unauthorised money lending and car thefts by syndicates.

The legislation empowers the authorities to send individuals to specific locations where their movements are monitored by the police.

This also prevents the individuals from maintaining contact with others suspected of similar offences, and offers an opportunity to rehabilitate them during the stipulated period.