The Sekretariat Rakyat Benci Rasuah, comprising NGOs and student associations from several local universities, made the demands at a rally attended by about 100 supporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

The participants began gathering outside the Sogo shopping complex at about 2pm before moving to Dataran Merdeka through Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Sinar Harian reported.

Some of the protesters were dressed in black and carried placards with anti-corruption messages.

Among others, the secretariat called for the immediate separation of powers between the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the public prosecutor’s office through amendments to Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution and Section 376 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

It said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission should be granted constitutional status as an independent body with full autonomy over its investigative and prosecutorial functions.

It also suggested internal reforms, including the introduction of term limits for the MACC chief commissioner to ensure transparency and accountability.

The secretariat said a political funding Act should be introduced, in line with recommendations by the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia, to promote transparency in political financing and prevent public fund scandals.

It also wanted the government to clarify the status of the case involving the late Teoh Beng Hock, which had previously been classified as requiring no further action.

Tension spiked at about 4.30pm when one of the participants lit a flare after delivering a speech towards the end of the rally, resulting in red smoke engulfing the area.

Malaysiakini reported that the police tried to seize the flare, but were briefly blocked by some participants.