KUALA LUMPUR: The government has not ruled out a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into allegations of a “corporate mafia” and abuses of power in enforcement agencies but says it will decide only after the Attorney General (AG) completes an ongoing probe.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told the Dewan Rakyat that the AG’s investigation, including claims raised in a recent international documentary, is expected to be completed “within days” and that any decision on an RCI will be based on the report’s findings.
“For us, a Royal Commission is premature, too early,” he said during Prime Minister’s Question Time on Tuesday (March 3).
He said the AG’s investigation should first determine whether there is a reasonable basis to extend the process and which areas require further scrutiny.
He said there were proposals to refine and tighten existing mechanisms and that he was open to closer monitoring of enforcement bodies where needed.
He stressed that any enhancement of oversight mechanisms must still respect due process and established procedures.
“I am neither accepting nor rejecting the RCI proposal. Let us follow the process,” he said, adding that the AG’s report was expected within one or two days and would determine whether there was a rational basis to extend the process and where further examination was required.
He added that in dealing with allegations involving enforcement authorities or public officials, the government must be fair in its approach.
