MACC board wants civil servants to declare assets
As published in today's Malay Mail
By Haresh Deol
KUALA
LUMPUR — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) advisory
board admits the anti-graft body tends to “go in with a bang only to end
in a whimper”.
It is also said sections in the MACC Act 2009
must be revised to compel those suspected of corrupt practices,
including civil servants, to declare their assets and to curb abuse of
power.
The board’s chairman, Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim,
said MACC had followed up on its major crackdowns but was done at a
“lower profile”.
“It’s not just us but even the men in MACC
feel the same. We go in with a bang only to end in a whimper. Public
perception is something we need to work on,” he said after the board’s
meeting yesterday.
“Investigations are on-going but we need to
keep the public informed. We are all interested in the outcome (of the cases).”
He was referring to MACC’s recent series of crackdowns.
The
commission arrested more than 10 Royal Malaysian Customs Department
officials, including a northern state director, over their alleged links
with alcohol and tobacco smuggling activities September last year. In
December, it probed more than a dozen top Pahang officials over the
landslides in the Cameron Highlands.
Last week, MACC raided
49 locations in Sarawak believed to be involved in illegal logging
activities. It also froze bank accounts of a Sarawak assistant minister,
totalling RM4 million, following allegations of abuse of power in
awarding a government project for the construction of a building in
Petra Jaya.
The board had, during its meeting, urged the
government to be serious in addressing suggestions that have been long
brought to its attention.
It said MACC’s hands were tied as
it does not have the legal power to compel those whose wealth exceeded
their means and those who are suspected of corrupt practices to declare
their assets. This included civil servants whose lifestyles do not match
their wages.
It said Section 36 of the Act must be amended to
ensure these individuals declare their assets. The board also
highlighted that amendments must be made to Section 23 of the same Act
to ensure civil servants do not manipulate lacunas specifically in
awarding tenders, contracts, government projects and awarding ownership
of land.
He said the board disagreed with critics who argued
MACC were afraid of going after the big fish — mainly politicians and
ministers.
“Provided there is sufficient evidence, MACC will
go after them. But when it comes to crunch time, those who claim to have
evidence will pull out. Without witnesses, MACC cannot do much.”
“As long as members of the public are willing to step forward and help, then we will be able to do more.”
Tunku
Aziz argued none of its board members owed the government anything and
that they were not afraid to speak up against efforts to combat
corruption.
“I wouldn’t be the chairman of this board if it
was not independent. MACC ... the government ... they need us more than
we need them.”
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