"It's time to focus on MACC’s structural reform"-C4

SHAH ALAM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakub should immediately respond to the proposal on the structural reform of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) executive director Cynthia Gabriel said this was because people are losing confidence in the government following the case involving MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.

“This is the time for us to focus on how institutional reforms could be implemented.

“The Azam Baki episode has brought corruption to a new level which reveals the weaknesses in the important institution which is supposed to combat corruption.

“In light of the case, I believe that this is the right time for a structural reform to take place,” she said in a press conference held by the Rasuah Busters at the Kumpulan Karangkraf, studio on Thursday.

She said according to their research, MACC has always been an independent body, but now it is placed under the Prime Minister’s Department.

“Executive influence and politics in the implementation, selection of cases and investigations among others has been the problem from the start,” she added.

She said previously, the structural reform proposal was included in the National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP) and it has been one of the organisation’s demands to focus on strengthening the institutions in the country especially the MACC and the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).

Cynthia said despite the crisis involving the anti-graft chief, she hoped that the MACC which had supported the proposal will continue its support.