Updated 7:02pm, 10 Dec 2009
KUALA LUMPUR, 10 Dec 2008: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi tabled the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission Bill for first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today.
The new act, which provides for the setting up of a commission to replace the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), will replace the Anti-Corruption Act 1997.
The MACC, which is to promote integrity in the public and private sector administrations, provides for the setting up of an independent anti-corruption commission to replace the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA).
It is also to educate civil servants and members of the public on corruption and its negative impact on public and private sector administrations as well as on the society as a whole.
According to the bill, the MACC would be headed by a chief commissioner to be appointed among the civil service.
An anti-corruption advisory board would also be set up to advise the chief commissioner on all aspects of corruption in Malaysia and the strategies to overcome them.
The bill also outlines the duties and responsibilities of a MACC officer, which include, among other things, to accept and investigate complaints, to advise and assist the public on ways to stamp out corruption and to educate them on ways to prevent corruption.
The bill also provides for the setting up of a special committee which will advise the prime minister on the issue of corruption in Malaysia as well as scrutinise and seek clarification on reports issued by the MACC.
A complaints committee will also be set up to monitor the commission’s activities as well as any incidence of misconduct among MACC officers.
Section 58 of the Act reaffirmes the power to prosecute upon the public prosecutors, who will commence prosecution proceedings in the Sessions Court.
Abdullah also tabled for first reading the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2008 to set up an independent judicial body to manage the appointment of judges of the Federal Court, Appellate Court and High Court, as well as the appointment of the Chief Justice.
The bill will take effect at a date to be determined later.
The commission will be chaired by the Chief Justice and will comprise the President of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of Malaya, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak and four others to be appointed by the prime minister.
The bill, among other things, spells out the function of the commission, which is to appoint individuals as superior court judges based on their experience, integrity and firmness as well as the ability to deliver judgment on time.
They must also be fair, of good morality and diligent in managing cases, the bill says.
Meanwhile, during the tabling of the two bills, Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) interjected and requested that the house attend to the motion to discuss the conduct of Chief Justice Tan Sri Zaki Tun Azmi.
“I am requesting that we discuss this before the prime minister table the Judical Appointments Commission Bill,” he said.
Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, however, rejected the request.
Also tabled were the Pensions (Amendment) Bill 2008, Statutory and Local Authorities Pensions (Amendment) Bill 2008, Pensions Adjustment (Amendment) Bill 2008 and the Judges’ Remuneration (Amendment) Bill 2008. — Bernama
