In a statement today, CSO Platform for Reform pointed out that placing MACC under the EAIC is contradictory to the spirit of reform and transparency under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, seeing that EAIC’s chief commissioner is appointed by the prime minister.

“MACC is an agency with prosecutorial powers, which is not possessed by any other agency under the purview of EAIC.

“Therefore, we do not believe that placing it under the purview of the EAIC will enhance its independence or authority,” the statement said.

CSO Platform stressed that placing the anti-graft body under Parliament will ensure it has greater accountability and transparency, while being in line with Anwar’s reform aspirations.

It also recalled the last parliamentary session where Anwar had expressed Putrajaya’s willingness to consider the appointment of the MACC chief commissioner coming under the purview of Parliament.

“We call upon the unity government to uphold its reforms principle by abandoning this proposal and instead focus on advancing the reform agenda of the MACC,” CSO Platform said.

Last week, law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said the proposal to place MACC under EAIC’s purview was among the issues discussed during the first meeting of the pro-tem committee.

The committee met to discuss Anwar’s proposal for a new body to oversee and investigate all complaints against law enforcement bodies, while examining proposed amendments to strengthen the EAIC.

On March 28, Anwar told the Dewan Rakyat that it was better that an independent body take investigative action of all complaints against enforcement bodies such as the police, MACC, immigration department, and customs department.

He told the Dewan Rakyat he understood the public’s unease about enforcement bodies investigating public complaints about themselves.