Make ACA answerable to Parliament
K KabilanPublished: Jan 29, 2001 9:46 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
Only an independent Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) answerable to Parliament and that has a freehand in investigating cases can reflect the government's seriousness in fighting corruption, said opposition leader Dr Chandra Muzaffar today.
Chandra, who is Keadilan deputy president, said that the government must implement these changes to show its urgency to fight corruption.
He also said that ACA must be required to submit a detailed annual report to the Parliament on its investigations into various allegations of corruption.
Chandra was commenting on a statement by ACA director-general Ahmad Zaki Husin in The Star on Jan 26 that the agency wanted more powers to act against those who offered bribes against investigations.
Ahmad Zaki said that ACA must be given powers to conduct its own raids on premises suspected of being used for prostitution, gambling and drug trafficking since these vices may link to corruption.
Chandra added that the draft bill of the 1998 Prevention of Corruption Act introduced by the former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim bestowed powers to the ACA to investigate crimes directly.
Lacking bite
He said Anwar initiated the draft when he was the acting prime minister for two months in mid-1997.
"However, it is reliably learnt that the draft was watered down by the then Attorney-General Mohtar Abdullah at the insistence of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad," said Chandra.
Chandra added that this sort of interference formed the greatest obstacle to the ACA in doing its job.
"The ruling elite lacks the political will to eliminate corruption, especially elite-level corruption.
"It lacks the political will largely because the elite itself is corrupt or it has chosen to protect the corrupt acts of individuals and groups associated with the elite," he added.
He said that for the government to show that it is serious in fighting corruption, it must also require all elected legislators to declare their assets and liabilities annually.
Media role
He also called on the government to allow the media to launch a massive nationwide campaign against corruption.
"(The government) must encourage mosques and other places of worship to utilise sermons and talks to inculcate a deep moral revulsion against corruption," he said.
He called on the government to start acting immediately against corruption, and to prove through deeds that it is sincere about fighting corruption.
He said that the Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for the year 2000 showed Malaysia is ranked 36 among the countries polled , down 13 notches from number 23 in 1995.
Chandra said that a government-controlled ACA cannot be expected to force the elite to demonstrate the political will to eliminate corruption.
Chandra, who is Keadilan deputy president, said that the government must implement these changes to show its urgency to fight corruption.
He also said that ACA must be required to submit a detailed annual report to the Parliament on its investigations into various allegations of corruption.
Chandra was commenting on a statement by ACA director-general Ahmad Zaki Husin in The Star on Jan 26 that the agency wanted more powers to act against those who offered bribes against investigations.
Ahmad Zaki said that ACA must be given powers to conduct its own raids on premises suspected of being used for prostitution, gambling and drug trafficking since these vices may link to corruption.
Chandra added that the draft bill of the 1998 Prevention of Corruption Act introduced by the former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim bestowed powers to the ACA to investigate crimes directly.
Lacking bite
He said Anwar initiated the draft when he was the acting prime minister for two months in mid-1997.
"However, it is reliably learnt that the draft was watered down by the then Attorney-General Mohtar Abdullah at the insistence of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad," said Chandra.
Chandra added that this sort of interference formed the greatest obstacle to the ACA in doing its job.
"The ruling elite lacks the political will to eliminate corruption, especially elite-level corruption.
"It lacks the political will largely because the elite itself is corrupt or it has chosen to protect the corrupt acts of individuals and groups associated with the elite," he added.
He said that for the government to show that it is serious in fighting corruption, it must also require all elected legislators to declare their assets and liabilities annually.
Media role
He also called on the government to allow the media to launch a massive nationwide campaign against corruption.
"(The government) must encourage mosques and other places of worship to utilise sermons and talks to inculcate a deep moral revulsion against corruption," he said.
He called on the government to start acting immediately against corruption, and to prove through deeds that it is sincere about fighting corruption.
He said that the Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for the year 2000 showed Malaysia is ranked 36 among the countries polled , down 13 notches from number 23 in 1995.
Chandra said that a government-controlled ACA cannot be expected to force the elite to demonstrate the political will to eliminate corruption.
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