The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) advisory board has called on the government to hasten appointments to the board’s operations review panel and its consultation and corruption prevention panel.

"We are a bit concerned and would like to urge the government to make the necessary appointments as soon as possible, so MACC can proceed with its work and functions," MACC advisory board chairperson Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim told Bernama in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

"For all practical purposes, these panels do not exist for now. Both panels are an important part of the entire MACC system and if not in operation, could have a negative impact.

"Thus, the need to appoint panel members is urgent," he said, adding that if the appointments were delayed, the independence of the MACC could be compromised.

The panels were left vacant since Feb 24 after the previous members ended their term.

According to Tunku Aziz, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak can either re-appoint or appoint new members to the two panels.

The MACC has five independent panels comprising the advisory board, special parliamentary committee on corruption, consultation and corruption prevention panel, complaints committee and operations review committee.

- Bernama