The anti-corruption watchdog said this in response to Edmund Terence Gomez’s resignation from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel after it failed to discuss reports implicating the anti-graft agency’s chief commissioner Azam Baki.
In a statement, today, TI-M said that if the claims were ignored and swept under the rug, it could potentially bring down the country’s ranking in the Corruption Perceptions Index and Global Corruption Barometer.
TI-M added that the MACC and the Cabinet need to explain the delay in responding to the serious allegations raised by Gomez and what the next course of action would be.
“TI-M believes all serious allegations must be investigated urgently and transparently, especially when it involves the image of the law enforcement agency entrusted to fight corruption.
“It is clear that MACC isn’t short on independent panels and processes to investigate its officers for alleged offences and so the question remains why has there been no announcement of any action being taken to date to investigate the allegations,” said TI-M.
‘Serious conflict of interest’
Meanwhile, Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) executive director Cynthia Gabriel called for an independent probe immediately to investigate the matter as well.
“We call for a thorough investigation and scrutiny on the allegations as well as the role and functions of the advisory board and its panels and recommend its abolishment, since it is unable to meet its expected functions.
“There needs to be a restructuring and transparent appointment process to guarantee independence in the advisory board and its panels,” she told FMT.
She also called for Azam to break his silence and answer the allegations, which were “deeply disturbing” and had damaged the integrity of the institution.
“It’s a serious conflict of interest. He has been entrusted to safeguard our country from corruption and power abuse but the allegations suggest serious violations have taken place,” she said.
She added that MACC had suffered “a serious trust deficit” and needed to redeem itself.
“It should enjoy independence from business and politics. Instead, we have stories of thievery by officials and now the chief himself allegedly having shares worth millions of ringgit. Being a civil servant, where did he get so much money?”
IDEAS public finance unit manager Alissa Rode said an investigation into the allegations should be conducted by a committee comprising individuals not linked to MACC that would report to Parliament.
“The longer the government remains silent on the matter, the more public trust in vital public institutions, such as the MACC, is eroded.
“Complacency is not an option. Where there are substantive allegations, there must be an impartial investigation to clear the air.
“The fallout here underscores the deep need for impartial oversight mechanisms for better accountability with Malaysia’s law enforcement institutions.”