Opposition stalwart Lim Kit Siang is wondering when the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will garner the kind of public support its Indonesian counterpart enjoys.

In a press statement, the Ipoh Timor MP however lamented that this scenario appears very unlikely in Malaysia.

He said that Indonesia is witnessing a phenomenon, where its people are rallying to the support of the Indonesian anti-corruption agency, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

dap 2010 budget rocket cafe 071009 lim kit siang 01 The public is protesting moves to frame KPK investigators and cripple the KPK's anti-corruption campaign.

"The Indonesian public believes that KPK has become the target of the police and the attorney-general's office because of its reputation of putting corrupt officials behind bars - even those in high places.

"Indonesians respect the KPK but have little faith in the police or the judiciary," he said.

Two KPK anti-graft investigators became the cause célèbre in Indonesia, when a million people join Facebook in supporting them over a conspiracy by Indonesia's top detective and the country's chief prosecutor to falsely imprison them over extortion and abuse of power.

Lim said Indonesians across the archipelago sat transfixed for hours as wire-tapped recordings were broadcast on national television of discussions between members of the police, the attorney-general's office and a businessman in a conspiracy to weaken the KPK by framing the agency.

Demonstrations against, not for

"When will such a phenomenon take place in Malaysia with the Malaysian public rallying to the defence of MACC to support its anti-corruption campaign?

teoh beng hock death macc protest 170709 protest infront macc building "In Malaysia, if there is a public demonstration it will be against the MACC and not in support for the anti-corruption agency," he added, citing the case of Teoh Beng Hock.

Lim said the Indonesian KPK has won the trust and confidence of Indonesians as it had made enemies in the Indonesian government administration for its successful prosecutions and its far-reaching powers to wiretap suspects and probe bank accounts.

The MACC, however, has achieved the reverse, he said.

"It forfeited even more public support and confidence than the Anti-Corruption Agency which it replaced on Jan 1 this year.

"It has proved to be even more of a cats paw of Umno/Barisan Nasional masters to further their political agenda against Pakatan Rakyat," he added.