PETALING JAYA: Calls for greater independence for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) have intensified, with MCA Youth saying that investigations must be led by credible, impartial individuals to restore public trust.
Amid growing calls for a change in the MACC leadership, the MCA Youth central committee said the next leader must be free from political influence to safeguard the integrity of enforcement.
“As a key institution entrusted with investigative and enforcement powers, as well as oversight of other public bodies, the MACC must itself be subject to strong and independent oversight.
“Any lack of accountability, particularly at the leadership level, risks undermining the foundation of the nation’s anti-corruption framework.
“Only investigations led by individuals with credibility, judicial experience and independence can restore public confidence and ensure that cases are not perceived as politically motivated or internally managed,” it said in a statement on Thursday (April 23).
The committee also said the position should no longer be determined solely by the Prime Minister, but instead be subject to parliamentary appointment and oversight.
It said this must be accompanied by regular reporting to ensure effective checks and balances and prevent political interference.
“It is time for the government, through a Parliamentary Select Committee, to develop a comprehensive reform framework for the MACC.
“This should include ensuring that the appointment of its chief commissioner is independent of the executive and subject to parliamentary scrutiny and approval, establishing institutional oversight mechanisms to guarantee transparency and accountability, and strengthening audit and public accountability frameworks to prevent abuse of power.
“If the Prime Minister and the unity government are serious about fighting corruption, they must address these institutional shortcomings within the MACC,” it said.
It was reported that a rally by Sekretariat Tangkap Azam Baki, initiated by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih), is expected to take place on April 25 at Dataran Merdeka.
Expressing support for the rally, the committee said MCA Youth would send representatives to attend the gathering to show support for its demands.
The committee said the rally’s demands, including a Royal Commission of Inquiry, a probe into MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki’s shareholdings, and institutional reforms, align with MCA Youth’s long standing position.
“Public concern today extends beyond individual cases to the broader question of whether institutions are transparent, fair and independent.
“The lack of transparency in the investigation process, the absence of progress updates more than a month after the formation of a special committee, and the government’s failure to provide a clear explanation have significantly eroded public trust in the anti-corruption system.
“The government must honour its commitment to institutional reform by accelerating measures to ensure that anti-corruption bodies are truly independent, transparent and accountable to Parliament, rather than subject to executive influence,” it said.
