The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) more frequently probes individuals found to have "excessive wealth" compared to the much-lauded Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption.

NONE Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Razali Ibrahim (left) said this was based on how many times the MACC used Section 36 of the Anti-Corruption Act, which deals with such cases.

"In Hong Kong the relevant section is Section 10. We use (Section 36) far more often than in Hong Kong. Hong Kong hardly uses its section," Razali told the Dewan Rakyat during Question Time today.

He was replying to Takiyuddin Hassan (PAS-Kota Bharu) who asked whether the government would amend Section 36 to make it easier to pin down those believed to be excessively wealthy as a result of corruption.

Takiyuddin also asked whether amendments would be made to Section 23, which deals with conflict of interest.

The MACC had previously called for amendments to Section 23, claiming it to be a loophole that allows those in power to escape graft charges simply by excusing themselves from meetings where their associates are awarded projects.

However, Razali did not say whether this section would be amended.

Instead, he said conflict of interest was dealt with through other means. In Kedah, for example, the state bars family members and close associates of those in government from winning government tenders.

"We will improve on this and hope for more feedback," Razali said.

However, he said, the government would push for an amendment to the Federal Constitution to allow the formation of an independent body to oversee the appointment of MACC commissioners.

He said the amendment would be tabled "one day" to address any doubts over the appointments.

As it stands, commissioners are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong upon the recommendation of the prime minister.

Turf wars lead to spike in crime

Meanwhile, Deputy Home Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the spike in violent crimes was due to turf wars between former Emergency Ordinance detainees and other gangsters.

"When EO detainees are released, they try to reclaim their old turfs which have been filled by other gangs... and the public get caught in between," Wan Junaidi said.

NONE He was replying to Nasruddin Hassan (PAS-Temerloh) who asked whether the former EO detainees were being monitored by the authorities.

He was also asked by Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu) why gangs were still rampant in Sarawak, despite the government's "best efforts".

To this, Wan Junaidi ( right ) said the recent amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act were not yet in force as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has yet to sign the Bill into law.

"It won't be too long from now. I am certain that (once the law is in place) we will be able to overcome the gangs of Sarawak who control the logging, fertilisers and so on," he said.