Bersih calls for structural reforms in MACC

Electoral watchdog Bersih has called for a bold overhaul of the MACC and proposed creating an Anti-Corruption Service Commission (ACSC).

In a statement, the Bersih Steering Committee said the ACSC would be responsible for the appointment of the MACC chiefs and officers.

“ACSC will provide recommended names to the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.

“The procedure for removing MACC commissioners, if they are involved in misconduct or unable to perform duties, will also be placed in the hands of ACSC,” the statement read.

Bersih also suggested that the tenure of MACC commissioners should be limited to five years and that MACC should revert to its original name, the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), to avoid any confusion with ACSC.

Sinar Harian previously reported that Bersih had submitted eight proposals to the government to protect MACC independence. The proposals involve shifting the authority to appoint and remove the chief commissioner and other MACC officers from the Cabinet to Bersih’s proposed ACSC.

Elaborating, Bersih said the newly formed ACSC should have its chairperson appointed from former judges of the Federal Court, Court of Appeal, or High Court, with Agong appointing the remaining four to 10 members based on his discretion.

However, it said the appointments must be based on the advice of the prime minister and the former ACA director, who acts as an ex-officio member.

Set up PJCC

In addition, the committee suggested that Parliament set up a Parliamentary Joint Committee on Anti-Corruption (PJCC) to replace the Special Committee on Corruption and monitor both ACA and ACSC.

“PJCC will also be responsible for reviewing and confirming the senior appointments of the anti-corruption body proposed by ACSC to Agong in consultation with the prime minister.

“It should also review and confirm the prime minister’s advice on the appointment of the ACSC chairperson and members,” Bersih explained.

Bersih said the PJCC should consist of members from both Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara and be chaired by a member of the opposition in Parliament.

It also said that members of the PJCC should include eight to 12 members appointed by the king with the advice of the Dewan Negara president and Dewan Rakyat speaker.

By monitoring each other, Bersih is confident that this will protect the ACA's independence in conducting anti-corruption operations and ensure its accountability through stricter oversight.

“We will expand engagement with various parties, particularly the government, to drive the implementation of the MACC’s reform agenda to improve national governance systems and restore public trust in the government's anti-corruption efforts,” it added.

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