Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said the government was “very open” to all views, adding that the proposal to place MACC under Parliament’s purview would be studied.

She said this in a written parliamentary reply to Gobind Singh Deo (PH-Damansara) who asked if the government planned to place MACC under Parliament’s purview, instead of the Prime Minister’s Department.

Last month, economy minister Rafizi Ramli said the government had not discussed placing MACC under Parliament’s purview.

Rafizi, who is also PKR deputy president, was asked if the government had plans to put MACC under Parliament after Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin accused Putrajaya of using the anti-graft agency as a political tool against the party.

After MACC froze Bersatu’s accounts recently, Hamzah claimed it was aimed at destroying the credibility of the party and Perikatan Nasional.

In November, Rafizi hit out at MACC for raiding his company, Invoke Solutions Sdn Bhd. While campaigning for the 15th general election (GE15), he reportedly said Pakatan Harapan would go after MACC chief Azam Baki for alleged “political persecution”.

Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim and civil society groups had previously also called for MACC to be placed under Parliament to ensure better accountability.

Meanwhile, Azam had said he was open to the idea of the appointment of the anti-graft agency’s top post coming under Parliament’s purview.