KUALA LUMPUR: A coalition of civil society groups is urging the government to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into alleged "corporate mafia" activities and reform the governance of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
The RCI Now Secretariat submitted a memorandum to several MPs at the entrance of Parliament on Tuesday (June 30), calling for sweeping reforms to strengthen anti-corruption institutions.
Among the MPs who received the memorandum were Wong Chen (PH-Subang), Zahir Hassan (PH-Wangsa Maju), Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau (GRS-Tuaran) and Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang).
The memorandum outlines three key demands – to set up an RCI to investigate alleged corporate mafia activities, to reform the appointment and removal processes of the MACC chief commissioner and to create stronger oversight and accountability mechanisms for the anti-graft agency.
RCI Now Secretariat spokesman Wong KuKui said the memorandum was submitted to convey public calls for greater transparency, accountability and institutional reform.
The "corporate mafia" refers to allegations that senior MACC officers orchestrate intimidation schemes, supposedly to pressure executives and shareholders of public-listed firms to resign or sell their shares at steep discounts to a network of connected businessmen.
The MACC have since denied the claims, labelling them as an attempt to tarnish the credibility of its investigations and enforcement actions.
