The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should be given powers to prosecute so that the graft busters will be more efficient, said the Parliamentary Special Committee on Corruption after a meeting today.

"We know that this has been a grievance among the rakyat. The MACC can only investigate but cannot prosecute, because prosecutorial powers lie with the attorney-general, as per Article 145 of the federal constitution," said the committee chairperson, Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad (BN-Kangar).

radzi sheikh ahmad "All six of us (committee members) opine and propose that the constitution be amended to give prosecution powers to the MACC chief commissioner, and with this we are confident that MACC will be more effective," said Mohd Radzi ( right ).

The committee also recommends five monitoring committees within MACC to provide the necessary controls.

"There will be checks and balances (if MACC is able to prosecute). We feel it is timely to give MACC prosecution powers, then MACC can investigate and prosecute without fear or favour. And MACC (is) answerable to its monitoring committees.

"The committee will hand over the report to the premier in the next few days after he tables the 10th Malaysia Plan. We hope the PM will table our report in both Houses in this sitting and consent to allow time for debate on this matter," he added.

The committee is an advisory body to the prime minister, set up to study the MACC’s annual report. Its members were appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong according to the MACC Act.

Other members of the committee are Tan Seng Giaw (DAP-Kepong), Abdul Rahman Dahlan (BN-Kota Belud), Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian), senator Armani Mahiruddin and senator Zamri Yusoff.