The UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) coalition wants Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to step down to allow the investigation into the RM2.6 billion donation he received to proceed without interference.
UNCAC chairperson Manzoor Hasan this would be in the best interest of fair investigations.
"In an ideal world, you would want to see the prime minister stay, and the investigation take place.
"But I think the reality is that if they don't step down, the process of investigation can be influenced and could undermine the whole process.
"If you apply the natural, legal principles when a person is being investigated, normally that person steps down so a clean independent investigation can take place," Manzoor is quoted as saying by The Malaysian Insider today.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in Putrajaya, Manzoor said Najib's refusal to quit was strange, but not new nor uncommon.
"I think this is where civil society and the media can play an important role and put pressure on the government to change the principles and rules that apply," he said.
Meanwhile, on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Manzoor said such agencies are described as independent, but are actually still controlled by the corrupt political elite.
He said by taking action against the MACC and other investigating officers, Malaysia went against the UNCAC, which it ratified on Sept 24, 2008.
The UNCAC is a legally binding international anti-corruption instrument adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2003.
The coalition, which Manzoor heads, is a watchdog made up of a global network of 350 civil society groups and organisations in more than 100 countries.
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