Transparency International (TI) Malaysia has lauded PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail's call to set up an independent committee to track high commission military hardware purchases to bring to an end to corruption and abuse.

Commissions up to RM530 million and RM380 million respectively for two submarines and 18 fighter jets were reportedly paid to private agents last month.

In a press statement today, TI Malaysia noted that setting up an independent commission would "prevent and remove abuses and corruption" in various public procurement mechanisms.

"The government should disclose the need to pay such huge commissions and contributions to these middlemen," said TI Malaysia executive director Richard Yeoh.

He also suggested that the government implement integrity pacts, which requires agents to disclose all payment criteria, to avoid vendors from plummeting into unethical and corrupt practices.

Lead by example

Yeoh also warned that the lack of serious action in fighting corruption in the country had caused the ruling party its two-thirds majority during the March 8 polls.

He also asked the government to take affirmative measures to restore confidence of the people in public governance.

"In today's global world where information flows ever more freely, it is incumbent on our elected officials to lead by example and subscribe to transparency and good governance in public procurement," he said.

"Tax payers and the poor will react to any abuses in the government tender system and the whole delivery system, unless urgent action is taken to overcome these public finance abuses on budget revenues and expenditures," he added.