Secret poll on two 'errant' MACC advisers raises ruckus

A recent email by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) secretariat to 33 of the 42 Advisory Panel members has grown into a full blown storm and is set to create a ruckus in the days ahead.

The email solicited their feedback on certain media statements by two outspoken Advisory Panel members - Robert Phang and Ramon Navaratnam.

The 42 members are reportedly united in their stand that the secretariat has been kurang ajar (ill-mannered) and does not seem to know its place in the MACC heirarchy.

"It was really unbecoming of the secretariat to poll the Advisory Panel members in this way. Are they trying to divide us and pit us against each other?" said philanthropist and Social Care Foundation founder Phang (left) , in an exclusive interview.

"This is like the tail wagging the dog. Who serves who? Are we subservient to the secretariat or the MACC itself? We are not."

Phang said he was outraged and humiliated by the secret poll conducted on six media statements attributed to him and Ramon.

The media statements were issued in the wake of the death under mysterious circumstances of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock while in the custody of the MACC last month.

"Now that the inquest is on, I respect that and I have held my peace on the tragedy," explained Phang.

"What is going to happen as a result of the secretariat's email poll is that every politician in the country is going to jump on the MACC bandwagon.

"Do we really need this sort of attention? We will be side-tracking from the inquest and the proposed Royal Commission of Inquiry on the MACC."

'Misconception in MACC'

Phang is convinced that there is misconception within the MACC itself that the Advisory Panel members report to them and are subservient to them.

He said that this was evident from the fact that even the MACC and certainly the secretariat, which is supposed to serve the Advisory Panel, takes a "high-and-mighty attitude" and does not respect the independence of the Advisory Panel.

"As advisers, we are duty-bound to offer our advice without fear or favour. We are not getting anything out of this. We are here to serve the country. If someone doesn't like our advice, why have an Advisory Panel?"

Even so, Phang hastened to clarify that "most of the MACC officers are professional and diligent in carrying out their tasks. That much I must grant them."

Phang disclosed that he plans to call for a special meeting of the Advisory Panel, its secretariat and the MACC "to thrash out the grey areas" and call for an internal inquiry into the email.

He wants to know who authorised the email and said "and some heads must roll so that a dangerous precedent will not be set".

"From the manner of the email, it almost seems as if Ramon and I are on trial conducted by our peers and masterminded by the secretariat," said Phang.

"Is this the sort of activity that the secretariat should be taking upon itself?"

Role and function must be defined

Phang also feels that there is a need to identify the role and functions of the Advisory Panel "although as men of integrity, all the Advisory Panel members know where they stand with regard to the MACC and the war against corruption in Malaysia".

"We have a sort of unwritten code of ethics and practice it among ourselves. As the great author Oscar Sanchez once wrote: 'Even if a small part of the truth is hidden, a great lie may be born'.

"The MACC and the secretariat itself, however, seems to be moving on a different track altogether. We need to bridge this gap once and for all."

Phang added that he will also be sounding out other Advisory Panel members informally in order to forge a consensus on the agenda for the proposed special meeting.

"Those whom I have already talked to are with me on this including Ramon. He's mad as hell over the email. We need to remain united on this," claimed Phang.

"It will have to be a closed-door meeting and we may not come to any conclusion in just one sitting."

Phang reiterated that he will not resign from the Advisory Panel despite his disappointment with the MACC and the secretariat.

"Nothing can be achieved by resigning or running away," said Phang.

"We are here because we feel we can make a difference. But the most important thing is that all members of the Advisory Panel need to remain united and take a common stand on issues that affect the MACC, the secretariat and the war against corruption in Malaysia. This is my sincere and silent reminder to them."

Ramon's view

When contacted, however, Ramon said he views this as a normal situation in terms of differences in a workplace.

“There are differences of views and approaches, which is natural. It is a sensitive environment... and this is a period of adjustment for both the MACC staff and the Advisory Panel,” he said.

“Don’t forget that this is a new experience and circumstance for both the MACC and the advisory board. (They have) never been questioned internally before and they are not used to it, so we have to work closely together.”

Ramon, the former president of Transparency International-Malaysia, said the panel is open to discussing the matter although no meeting has been planned to date.

“These things must be gone about professionally, for there are proper procedures and processes for everything,” he said.

He did, however, express reservations about the email that was sent, as well as its purpose.

“I was surprised, but not pleasantly. They could have raised the issue during panel meetings, which are held once a month. They can always ring us up and talk to us,” he said.

“But this is just a little hiccup... problems occur everywhere in the workplace because of different views. This is part and parcel of the whole process in order to fight corruption."