Fighting graft under a new banner

Will it make any difference?

The much awaited Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Abdullah must be commended for his personal involvement in successfully establishing the MACC. The people in general are hopeful that the agency would help create a new era of integrity in the fight against graft in the country. We welcome the Prime Minister’s reassurance that the MACC would have more legal bite that is essential in this fight against corruption at all levels of our society.

The increase in work force and the various internal and external check and balance mechanism of the MACC should enhance the effectiveness, independence and impartiality of the agency to act against anyone without fear or favor. In fact it should transcend political, social and racial divide in carrying out its duties at all times if it wants to earn the respect and support of the people.

The Opposition however claims that the MACC is still very much under the jurisdiction of the ruling party, and therefore skeptical of its independence to be an effective anti-graft agency. The onus is now on the government to demonstrate its seriousness in tackling corruption in the weeks and months ahead and prove the Opposition and other critics wrong.

It is encouraging to see that the government has recognized the importance curbing corruption and is moving rightly in that direction but there is much more to done than just changing the name of the agency. It has to act seriously to correct the negative perception of the MACC in the minds of the people.

While these new laws and a rejuvenated agency may be necessary and important in the fight against graft, it is equally important to ensure the human factors in this fight are also in place. Laws and institutions are only as good as those who are tasked to implement and administer them. It is of utmost importance to get the right people to head the commission and various panels and committees that are being proposed, people who are not only capable but of high integrity and fully committed to eradicate corruption.

They must be politically non-partisan and act decisively and aggressively against anyone who is corrupt regardless of the status and political ideology. Selection of members of the commissions must be purely on merits and transcend racial and political divide.

The MACC must be free to investigate and prosecute without fear or favor against anyone regardless of who the alleged perpetrators of the crime may be. Informers who come forward to expose corrupt practices must be protected at all costs and not punished for doing so especially if their information is found to be not true.
The government has triumphed in setting up the MACC to combat graft. It is just the first step in long war against this national menace. It must now actively go forth with the formation of various commissions and selecting the right people for the tough but important job to free the nation from the crutches of graft.

Dr.Chris Anthony