MCA welcomes MACC, urges duties to be performed without fear or favour

MCA welcomes the official launching of the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) which replaces the Anti Corruption Agency (ACA) by the Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. MCA Spokesperson Sdr Lee Wei Kiat said that “the call by the Prime Minister that the MACC be professional and fair is necessary to uphold truth and justice in its dealings.”

“MCA further urges the officers from MACC to perform their duties without fear or favour. As an independent body with prosecution powers, MACC must not succumb to any form of pressure or threats be it political, economical or social.”

As MCA fully supports an independent body to conduct investigations to tackle problems arising from graft, Wei Kiat added that “irrespective of whoever is involved in bribery be they politicians, civil servants, personnel from GLCs, multinational companies, or anybody from the private sector; or in any form whether cash, contracts or reciprocal favours and regardless of issue, action must be taken as corruption cannot be condoned. As long as the law is broken, despite the amount or returns whether enormous or little, practitioners of corruption must be hauled up.”

Wei Kiat who also heads MCA’s Information and Communication Bureau recalled that “in the last general elections which saw an unprecedented seismic shift of voting patterns, one of the causes for voter dissatisfaction was allegations of corruption and insufficient action being seen to be taken to address combating corrupt practices. The formation of the MACC is the right step forward in our government’s urgent efforts to restore public confidence.”

Multi-racial panel appointed

“On another note, MCA is pleased to read that the full list of 42 MACC appointees covering 5 panels and boards comprise of retired judges and civil servants, academicians and researchers, media fraternity, lawyers and NGOs. This reflects that the Prime Minister has selected eminent persons who, while carrying with them experience and wisdom are able to relate to the voices and issues from the ground.”

“More importantly, besides appointing multi-racial panelists, MCA is further gratified to observe that the Special Committee on Corruption consists of members from both sides of the political divide, thus ensuring the MACC’s independence and removal of any allegations of political partisanship, selective implementation or racial bias.”