I agree with the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein that the MACC should not shy away from investigating politicians or anyone.

The most effective way to combat corruption is to have an independent, competent and credible MACC that will investigate all complaints and reports of corruption in a professional and unbiased manner.

As the country's foremost agency against corruption, its role is to gather facts and evidence by interviewing witnesses and suspects, and enforcing the law.

Complaints that the MACC uses 'gestapo' methods may be avoided if it is seen to act professionally at all times with utmost respect for citizens' legal and human rights.

It must be accountable to all politicians in parliament to avoid criticism of political servitude or favouritism. Its credibility is at risk otherwise, and its efficacy questionable.

There is no justification for any use of force or intimidation because corruption, while an insidious crime against society, is essentially a white collar crime.

The MACC can avoid unfair allegations of wrongdoing if its investigations avoid any hint of unreasonable or inhumane measures to extract the truth.

Corruption bleeds the country, perverts justice and undermines the rule of law, creates distrust, foments disunity, and above all destroys society like a spreading cancer.

Every citizen should be a friend of the MACC in its war on corruption for the country's sake. Thus the MACC must be diligent in winning over the public and avoid being swaddled in controversy.

It plays a primary and crucial role in ensuring the integrity of the country is safeguarded and must function under the most stringent standards and checks itself.

The result of a society bereft of integrity is like a country plagued with constant haze. It chokes the moral, social and spiritual health of the nation. It sucks a country dry of moral integrity. It renders its citizens prey for the unscrupulous and violent.

And this may be more damaging than a terror attack. Thus the MACC must be seen not to fear anyone, to fulfil its role faithfully, and above all, to be seen to be above politics.

The critics of the MACC will be silenced when the corrupt, whoever they are, are successfully prosecuted and made to account for their crime against their country.

And the more powerful they are, the more onerous for the MACC to go after them without fear or favour. Then the end of the corrupt will indeed be nigh.