Who watches the watchmen?

In almost every conversation I have had over the past few months, one persistent theme has resurfaced: a deep and growing concern about the integrity of our nation’s anti-corruption institutions.

Whether speaking to long-time comrades, friends, or ordinary rakyat, the anxiety converges on a single, uncomfortable question: who watches the watchmen?

KEADILAN was founded on a clear and uncompromising promise—to confront corruption with courage and conviction.

That promise is precisely why the people placed their trust in us. After three years in government, however, that trust now comes with higher expectations.

The rakyat are not questioning our intentions; they are questioning our outcomes—and this is healthy for a functioning polity.

To be fair, the fight against corruption under the Madani administration has been far more active than in previous eras.

We are seeing investigations involving high-profile political figures, former ministers, senior civil servants, and even cases linked to the defence sector.

This reflects a determination to clean up the system regardless of rank or status.

Yet activity alone does not equal accountability

Let me be clear: a strong, independent, and fearless MACC is indispensable to any credible anti-corruption agenda. Questioning how power is exercised is not an attack on enforcement institutions—on the contrary, it is a defence of their legitimacy. Institutions that wield immense authority must be held to the highest standards, not to weaken them, but to ensure their actions command public trust and withstand scrutiny.

The recent revelations surrounding the MINDEF scandal are a sobering reminder of how deeply entrenched corruption remains.

They underscore a crucial truth: corruption is not merely the failure of individuals but the product of systems that tolerate, protect, and, at times, even reward misconduct.

Every ringgit lost is not an abstract figure. It translates into understaffed hospitals, neglected classrooms, and delayed infrastructure projects. It is a direct theft from our children’s future and a threat to our nation’s security.

Allegations involving millions of ringgit and senior officers within the Armed Forces have dealt a serious blow to public confidence. Many are left wondering how such abuses could occur at the very heart of institutions tasked with safeguarding the nation.

But beyond individual scandals, the rakyat are raising a deeper and more troubling concern: enforcement actions, no matter how well-intentioned, must never be perceived as reckless or arbitrary.

This is particularly true in asset-freezing cases. In recent years, we have seen repeated instances in which assets—often belonging to prominent or wealthy individuals—are frozen without adequate public explanation, only to be unfrozen later without clear justification.

If there was insufficient substance to sustain the case, why were such drastic measures taken in the first place? Due process is not a privilege of wealth or influence—it is the foundation of justice itself. Without it, the same unchecked powers used today against the powerful can tomorrow be turned against ordinary citizens with far fewer means to defend themselves.

It is therefore imperative that the money trail be firmly established, transparently recorded, and pursued to its logical conclusion. The objective must be clear: those who are guilty must pay in full—not through arbitrary haircuts or opaque settlements—and every ringgit recovered must flow directly back into the public coffers, where it rightfully belongs.

Actions taken without clear and timely explanation risk damaging reputations, fuelling speculation, and ultimately eroding confidence in enforcement institutions themselves.

Investigations and arrests alone are not enough; every exercise of power must be grounded in evidence, due process, and transparency.

We must also be mindful that a single stain can undo the sincere and tireless efforts of many honest officers who continue to serve with integrity. It would be deeply unjust if the misconduct or excesses of a few were allowed to undermine the noble and difficult work carried out by the many. It is precisely such stains that must be identified and removed.

This brings us back to the fundamental question the rakyat are asking—not merely who is being investigated, but how power is exercised, and crucially, how that power is monitored.

This is not about personalities. The problem is systemic. It stems from the concentration of vast investigative, prosecutorial, and financial powers within a single institution under the MACC Act, coupled with limited and largely ineffective external oversight. KEADILAN has raised this concern consistently since the early 2000s. When such powers are left unchecked, the risk of abuse is not hypothetical—it is inevitable.

When there is no one watching the watchmen, accountability erodes

The rakyat do not want selective enforcement, nor do they want performative crackdowns. They want certainty that investigations are evidence-led, that prosecutions are sustainable, and that stolen wealth is fully recovered for the benefit of the nation.

That is why progress must move beyond rhetoric and towards genuine structural reform. A key step forward would be the establishment of an Independent Oversight Committee that reports directly to Parliament.

Such a body must be empowered to review enforcement actions, scrutinise decisions on asset freezes, audit financial flows, and ensure that anti-corruption efforts are guided by evidence, due process, and the public interest—not by unfettered discretion.

This is not about weakening the fight against corruption. On the contrary, it is about strengthening it by restoring credibility, transparency, and public trust. If we are serious about reform, our institutions must not only be powerful but also answerable.

Only then can we assure the rakyat that justice is pursued without fear or favour, that corruption is punished fully, and that no one—including those entrusted with enforcement—stands above scrutiny.

Nurul Izzah Anwar

Deputy President KEADILAN