Joint special committee on integrity, corruption involving both Parliamentary houses may be set up soon

KUALA LUMPUR: Plans are underway to set up a joint special select committee between the Dewan Negara and Dewan Rakyat on administration, integrity and corruption, says Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim.

"The president of the Senate has discussed this with the Dewan Rakyat Speaker and a joint statement on the matter will be issued soon," he said in a statement on Thursday (Jan 20).

He said the committee would discuss ways of placing the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) under the Parliament's jurisdiction.

He said there was consensus that the matter must be addressed as soon as possible.

"Anti-corruption campaigns and efforts are crucial for the nation and need the involvement of politicians.

"Prior to this, those involved in such efforts are not from the political groups," he added.

He also said that is important to punish not only those that receive bribes but also those who offer them.

Rais, who is the Senate president, said that at present, only the Dewan Negara had set up a special select committee on administration, integrity and corruption.

There have been calls for the MACC to come under Parliament's jurisdiction.