Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad has questioned Penang’s insistence to be “invited” to sign the Corruption-Free Pledge (IBR), when the onus is on states to voluntarily do so.

In his ongoing tit-for-tat with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who has blamed the MACC for not approaching Penang to sign the pledge, Dzulkifli clarified how IBR worked.

“For those who want to (take the pledge), they can ask MACC to organise an IBR ceremony.

“The IBR is done voluntarily at state-level... to show that states are committed (to combating corruption). If we do it by force, the people won’t trust it.

“Not a single state was given letters from MACC about the IBR so I don’t know why Lim Guan Eng says we need to invite him. Why does Penang need to be invited?” he said to reporters after attending an IBR ceremony at the police training centre (Pulapol) in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

At the ceremony, inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar had led more than 200 police officers in reciting the pledge. Concurrent ceremonies were also held with police contingents nationwide, making it the first IBR ceremony ever to be on that scale.

Even with the day’s event, Khalid had contacted the MACC to request it run an IBR ceremony for the police, Dzulkifli added.

Penang’s conditions for signing IBR

Lim has previously denied claims that his government was refusing to sign the IBR, saying Penang would sign it if it included certain provisions.

The 10 suggestions put up by him, include putting in practice the state government’s principles of CAT (competent, accountable and transparent) and institutionalising the public declaration of assets by the chief minister and state executive council members.

Also, Lim asked for the IBR to assure protection was given to genuine whistle blowers, a provision to take action against government leaders who live in luxury beyond their means and transparency in political contributions.

The MACC first launched the IBR in January this year, encouraging state governments and government agencies to voluntarily sign it to show their commitment to combating corruption.

Despite their initial hesitation, opposition-led Selangor and Kelantan signed it on July 15, leaving Penang the only state to have not signed the pledge.