Bar lists MACC reform ideas for new anti-corruption advisory chair

Summary

• The Malaysian Bar urges for a comprehensive reform of the MACC, in light of Salim Fateh Din’s appointment as chairperson for the commission’s Anti-Corruption Advisory Board.

• Salim, who is also MCMC chairperson, assumed the MACC role for three years beginning Feb 2.

The Malaysian Bar has called for institutional and structural reforms of the MACC, following corporate figure Salim Fateh Din’s appointment as the new chairperson of the graft buster’s Anti-Corruption Advisory Board.

Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab stressed that Salim’s appointment must translate into effective actions that strengthen public confidence in Malaysia’s anti-corruption efforts.

This, he said, is especially so since the urgency for reform within the MACC has long been evident, particularly in light of “past controversies” which have tested its institutional resilience.

“Scandals such as the 1MDB case and Teoh Beng Hock’s tragic death have raised serious concerns about the MACC’s transparency, accountability and ability to function without political interference.

“Malaysia’s stagnant ranking at 57 in Transparency International Malaysia’s Corruption Perceptions Index further underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reform,” Ezri said in a statement today.

To address such long-standing issues, the Bar urged for the removal of the MACC from the Prime Minister’s Department (PMD) to become an agency under parliamentary oversight, noting that the continued placement under the PMD raises concerns about executive influence.

Ezri said this reform would institutionalise the MACC’s independence, ensuring that its investigations are free from political interference while reinforcing public trust in its ability to combat corruption impartially.

He added that a bipartisan joint committee on corruption, chaired by an opposition MP to ensure a non-partisan approach, should also be established to oversee senior MACC appointments and ensure greater accountability.

Independent body

Besides recommending the restoration of the Anti-Corruption Agency name, the Bar also pushed for the establishment of an Anti-Corruption Service Commission (ACSC) as an independent body responsible for appointing and overseeing MACC chief commissioner and officers.

Noting that the move would ensure that leadership appointments are merit-based and free from undue influence, Ezri said the ACSC would also be empowered to remove the chief commissioner for misconduct or inability to perform duties, with a fixed tenure of five years to prevent arbitrary dismissals.

The Bar also appealed for the government to prioritise additional critical reforms to combat corruption.

Ezri said such measures include tabling and enacting the Political Financing Bill before the next general election to regulate political donations and prevent undue influence over the democratic process.

The Bar also emphasised the necessity of expediting the implementation of the new asset declaration format for senior public officials and lawmakers to promote transparency and prevent illicit wealth accumulation.

“The Bar urges the government and relevant stakeholders to prioritise these reforms and take concrete steps to strengthen the national anti-corruption framework.

“We remain committed to advocating a legal and institutional structure that upholds the rule of law and promotes transparency and public confidence in Malaysia’s fight against corruption,” Ezri added.

Salim’s role

On March 19, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki announced Salim’s appointment for the 2025-2028 session, effective for three years beginning Feb 2 until Feb 1, 2028.

The board’s main role is to advise the MACC on strategies, policies and any matters related to the problem of corruption in the country.

Salim is also chairperson of MCMC, with his reappointment for a two-year period having taken effect on March 1.

He first served as an MCMC member between 2010 and 2014, after which he was reappointed to the post in January 2022.

In June of the same year, he was appointed MCMC’s interim chairperson, paving the way for him to take over as its chairperson in March of the following year.

MACC quizzes Ismail Sabri for over 6 hours

MACC visits Sapura Energy office amid graft probe, firm vows cooperation

Gerakan slams MACC for leaking whistleblower's identity

MCA Youth to 'passive' MACC: Sabah may be seen as 'den of thieves'