The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) has long been the butt of criticisms by citizen groups for lacking in spine, but it won rare praise today for the arrest of the son of the country's highest ranking cop.

"It's a bold move. We also commend the IGP (inpector-general of police) for stating that he would leave it to the ACA to investigate," Police Watch and Human Rights Committee head RN Rajah said when contacted today.

Despite the thumbs up given to ACA, Rajah however remain skeptical of the anti-corruption watchdog's independence in carrying out its investigations.

"We don't know whether the ACA knew the man was the IGP's son before or after the arrest," he said.

Nevertheless, Rajah urged the government agency to ensure that there would not be any cover-up and to reveal its findings to the public at the earliest opportunity.

He disagreed that the arrest of police chief Mohd Bakri Omar's son would cast a pall over the campaign against endemic corruption in the force.

Meanwhile, former Police Royal Commission commissioner Ivy Josiah said that it was irrelevant as to whose son the arrested man was.

"What's relevant is that the ACA conduct proper investigation in a professional manner, without fear nor favour," she said.

"This would be what the present IGP expect as he himself has demonstrated a commitment to fighting against corruption," added Josiah, who is executive director of the Women's Aid Organisation.

'Never tolerate corruption'

Mohd Bakri himself was quoted in the Malay Mail today as saying that he was deeply "hurt" with the arrest of one of his twin sons in connection with a scam to sell Ramadan bazaar hawker stall lots.

"I have never tolerated corruption (in the force)," he said, adding that "as a father, I am very hurt by what has happened.

"Let's leave the ACA to complete its investigation," said Mohd Bakri, who succeeded Norian Mai in November 2003.

Malaysiakini first reported yesterday that the 32-year-old son of Mohd Bakri was arrested at a shopping mall in Kaula Lumpur on Wednesday after a trader lodged a report with the agency.

It is believed that a 25-year-old Kuala Lumpur City Hall enforcement officer was also detained.

The duo were taken to court yesterday and were ordered to be remanded by magistrate Nazran Mohd Sham for three days to facilitate investigation.

It was alleged that the suspects were canvassing for buyers for the lots at a whopping price of RM11,000 each. The City Hall is reported to have only charged RM250 for each lot at the annual Ramadan bazaars.