Whistle all you like, the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) is unlikely to react with anything like the pace of a watchdog. Instead, think snail or turtle.

Consumer advocate Jacob George said ACA whistleblowers see the agency moving at snail's pace - or no pace at all - when they provide information.

"Members of public are confounded as to why the authorities are not acting fast enough they have on political matters," said Jacob who heads the Consumer Association Subang and Shah Alam.

He was commenting on the experience of Adam Yong Abdullah (photo), who claimed that the ACA in Malacca had not acted on his report implicating high-level civil servants after it was lodged two years ago.

In a malaysiakini exclusive, Yong had confessed he had colluded to milk RM607,500 in kickbacks from the sale of three shoplots at a highly inflated price of RM4.05 million.

He said the money was split between a top official of the Entrepreneurial Development and Cooperatives Ministry, Malacca government officials and a broker who put the deal together. He received RM50,000 as his share.

Malacca ACA officials confirmed that the investigations, which were completed earlier, are being continued after a directive from the headquarters in Putrajaya to obtain more details.

Jacob noted that inaction by the ACA would send the wrong signal to potential whistleblowers and hamper Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's anti-corruption campaign.

He also pointed out the need for enforcement bodies such as the ACA to be subject to an independent monitoring body.

"The US has an internal affairs department which is hated because it can dig and probe (into alleged wrongdoings)," he said.

He suggested that the attorney-general should frequently update the public on the prosecution of individuals for corruption, as a way of encouraging whistleblowers to come forward.

Alternative approach

Human rights watchdog Suaram executive director Yap Swee Seng said Adam's experience highlights why the ACA should be made independent and accountable to Parliament.

"If the ACA had to report to Parliament, then elected representatives can question them on delays and inefficiencies," he said.

At present, the ACA reports to the Prime Minister's Department.

Transparency International-Malaysia president Ramon Navaratnam suggested that Adam should take his problem up to elected representatives, since he has hit a brick wall with the ACA.

"He should approach elected representatives in order to reach (those at) the top... this is democracy in action. If we wait for bureaucracy to move, (it would be like waiting for) a turtle to move," he said.

Jacob also said Adam should hand over information to the police if the ACA is dragging its feet.

"Approach NGOs and make it (proof of corruption) public. If everyone does that, there will be groundswell of awakening against corruption," he added.

The last two weeks have seen two high-profile officials embroiled in allegations of corruption. Both cases are currently under investigation.

ACA director-general Zulkipli Mat Noor was accused of amassing properties and wealth beyond his means.

Deputy Internal Security Minister Mohd Johari Baharum was alleged to have received RM5.5 million in bribes to free certain criminal suspects held under the Emergency Ordinance.

However, both have denied the allegations.