MACC deputy chief commissioner (Prevention) Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil said currently the Commission had only 2,800 personnel and this shortage posed a major obstacle in discharging its responsibilities effectively.
“At the time of transformation from the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to MACC nine years ago, the government had agreed to raise the total personnel to at least 5,000 to emulate the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in Hong Kong, but until now, the figure has yet to be reached.
“This is among the factors why the MACC is facing obstacles in carrying out enforcement and investigation, as well as conducting campaigns and educational programmes on corruption,” he said at the Round Table Conference on the Aspirations of Malaysians In Conjunction With the 50th Anniversary of ACA/MACC at Hotel Putra here last night.
The Round Table Conference organised by Malaysia Corruption Watch (MCW) was attended by more than 30 individuals representing various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which, among others, aimed to discuss and share opinions on issues pertaining to corruption and abuse of power in the country.
The conference also unanimously rejected the proposal to form the National Integrity and Governance Department (JITN), which was made by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Paul Low Seng Kuan, to ensure that the MACC remained an independent agency.