Lots to do for MACC before it can be considered independent

THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is already an independent institution and does not need to be placed under Parliament for transparency, its chief Tan Sri Azam Baki asserted, "MACC already independent, no need to come under Parliament, says Azam" (The Star, Sept 29; online at https://bit.ly/3fwEzHp). Yet, the MACC is not at liberty to disclose details of its investigation into Court of Appeal judge Nazlan Ghazali, which has been completed. Azam said he could not disclose the instructions from the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ (AGC).

An independent MACC should have the full powers of investigation without having to take instructions from the AGC. It should also have the powers to prosecute, as Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim said.