Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Paul Low has vowed to safeguard the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), which he describes as the "apple of his eye".

He said if the commission is under threat, then people should be vocal, critical and "go to the streets (to protest) if necessary".

Low said this when addressing the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in Putrajaya this evening.

Speaking after Transparency International chief Jose Ugaz zoomed in on the allegations surrounding Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, Low started his speech, saying: "I am not here to defend the PM, I am here fighting for my job."

This remark drew laughter from the audience.

"Jose ( photo ) says if this crisis we are facing is not solved, then nothing else matters," added Low.

"So no matter what I do, transform or reform, it doesn't matter. But it does matter to the country."

Meanwhile, on his urge for the people to go to the streets to protect the MACC, Low said the protection of institutions did not rest with the government only but also with civil society as well.

"I envy the situation in Indonesia when hostility came against the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). People will protest on the streets to defend the institution against whomever," he said.

'I am not a politician'

Elaborating further on his vow to protect the MACC, Low promised that he will protect the commission in carrying out 'whatever they need to do' in their tasks and investigations.

"Personally, I would take the MACC as the apple of my eye," said Low who is minister in charge of the MACC.

"And anybody that touches that apple of my eye, I will protect and I will strike back.

"Of course, many people will say that this is all political talk. But I'm not a politician, anyway. I do what I promise," he said, to applause from the audience.

Top MACC officers were transferred out from their post early this month.

One of them, MACC special operations division chief Bahri Mohamad Zin was leading the investigation into state-owned SRC International which reportedly deposited RM42 million into Najib's personal bank accounts.

The transfers were later revoked after public outrage on the matter.

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