The government has no intention to amend Article 145 of the federal constitution to allow prosecutorial powers to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

NONE Replying to Wee Choo Keong (Ind-Wangsa Maju) Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong ( left ) said that instead of taking the power away from the attorney-general, Parliament should keep the AG in check.

“If MACC is given prosecutorial powers, there will not be any elements of independence of mind, to review facts in an objective manner in keeping with the principles of natural justice.

“Prosecutorial powers are with the attorney general so there is no influence by investigation agencies, to maintain a check and balance,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.

Wee had asked if the Article should be amended to allow MACC the discretion to prosecute corruption cases.

In a supplementary question, Wee said that this is because there are corruption cases not acted upon, even though investigation agencies have delivered the investigation papers to the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

An agency to watch over AG

“Like the case involving foreign funds for certain organisations. Investigation papers are completed and handed over to the Attorney-General’s Chambers months ago but no action.

“Perhaps there should be an agency to take care of the Attorney-General’s Chambers to ensure the AG does his job properly,” he said.

To this, the deputy minister said that as an MP and a lawyer, Wee should use the Dewan Rakyat as a way to keep the AG in check.

“On the foreign funds, that question was posed and answered already in this august house,” Liew said.