Strengthening oversight of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to restore public confidence and integrity

WE, the members of G25, echo the growing calls for the existing task force reviewing matters relating to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to be reconstituted and strengthened. 

Given the seriousness of the issues raised and widening public concern, it is imperative that the committee’s composition and mandate be enhanced to ensure independence, credibility and public trust.

Since the announcement of the task force, the controversy surrounding the MACC leadership has intensified rather than subsided. 

What began as questions relating to share ownership has expanded into broader allegations, including claims that the agency has operated in a manner akin to a “corporate mafia”. These are grave assertions that strike at the core of an institution mandated to combat corruption.

In this context, G25 agrees with proposals that the task force should be expanded to five members. We support calls for Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, former chief justice of Malaysia, to chair the task force, given her judicial experience, independence and standing in the public eye. 

The inclusion of a respected representative from civil society as a full member would also further strengthen the task force’s credibility. 

Broader participation would demonstrate that the process is not confined within the executive branch and help reassure Malaysians that the investigation will be impartial and transparent.

The terms of reference of the task force must also be revised and expanded. The inquiry should not be restricted solely to technical questions of shareholding but must expressly encompass the wider allegations, including claims that the MACC has acted in a manner inconsistent with its statutory purpose. Only a comprehensive and clearly defined mandate can address the full spectrum of concerns surrounding the MACC.

In addition, serious consideration should be given to whether a task force without statutory investigative powers like the current task force is sufficient in the present circumstances. 

Unlike a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI), a task force does not have the legal authority to compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of documents. 

Where allegations are grave and wide-ranging, an inquiry mechanism with full investigative powers is necessary to ensure that all relevant evidence is properly obtained and examined. Hence, G25 strongly advocates for the appointment of an RCI. 

Without an independent chair, civil society participation, expanded membership, a broadened mandate and adequate investigative powers, the task force risks being viewed with scepticism. 

In matters of institutional integrity, public perception is inseparable from legitimacy. A process seen as limited or insular will inevitably cast doubt on its findings.

G25 would also like to reiterate the importance of placing the MACC chief on garden leave pending completion of the investigation. This is a prudent governance measure to protect the integrity of investigations and avoid any perception of interference. It is not a presumption of wrongdoing but a safeguard for institutional credibility. 

This call for garden leave must apply equally to any other MACC officers who are tied to the allegations and require investigation as equal treatment is essential to ensure fairness and preserve the integrity of the investigative process.

Malaysia’s economic resilience and attractiveness to investors are closely tied to the strength and integrity of its institutions. 

Investment decisions are shaped not only by the state of the economy but also by how well a country is governed and whether its laws are enforced fairly and consistently. If uncertainty persists without a credible and transparent resolution, it may gradually weigh on investor sentiment and Malaysia’s international standing.

Our country is at a critical juncture. We, therefore, call upon the Madani government to demonstrate principled and decisive leadership by ensuring that the investigative body being set up for inquiry into MACC conduct is independent in composition, comprehensive in mandate, equipped with the necessary authority to conduct a thorough investigation and fair in its interim measures. 

Such action will reaffirm the government’s commitment to the rule of law and institutional accountability. Malaysians deserve nothing less.

 The Sun Malaysia