The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's Advisory Board has urged the Conference of Rulers to declare open support for ongoing efforts to combat graft.

Its chairperson Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim said this follows the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V's royal address in parliament where he had expressed displeasure at corrupt civil servants, as well as those who leaked information.

"I really hope to see the Conference of Rulers as a body coming out in support of the work that the MACC is doing…particularly for them to speak out against corrupt practices.

"Because like i said, this is everyone’s fight," he told reporters after chairing the board's monthly meeting at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy in Kuala Lumpur.

Tunku Aziz also noted that Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah was among the earliest who had spoken out in support of anti-graft  efforts, describing it as a very pleasing development for the MACC.

Asked for comments on Johor Sultan's revelation that he had once rebuffed an "agent" who represented someone willing to pay RM2 million for the "Tan Sri" title, Tunku Aziz noted that the case is currently under investigation.

"I can’t say if they have found anything. Any information will probably come out from the MACC," he said.

Pressed on whether the other Rulers should follow Johor Sultan, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's lead and disclose similar attempts in their state, Tunku Aziz merely reiterated the call for the Conference of Rulers to declare their support to MACC.

"Now we can see that it is not only the people who are supporting MACC but also the Rulers.

"My hope is that the Conference of Rulers can give us the open support that will encourage us to do our work more effectively, to know that what we are doing is appreciated," he said.

'Stricter vetting for senior civil servants'

Tunku Aziz, meanwhile, also revealed MACC's plans to push for a stricter vetting system in the appointment of senior civil servants.

"This is one of the things we would like to raise with the chief secretary when we meet him.

"For appointments above a certain level, we want a stricter selection process, very careful vetting," he said when asked for measures to combat corruption involving high ranking government officers.

He said the MACC have also identified agencies with enforcement powers, due to the nature of their work, as being more prone to corruption.

Among others, he said there are greater opportunities for corruption involving the Immigration Department, Customs Department and the police.

Other advisory board panel members present include former Court of Appeal judge Mohd Noor Abdullah, former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan and media veteran Azman Ujang.