Make MACC independent of civil service, says former anti-graft officer

A former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officer Datuk Abdul Razak Idris wants the agency to be placed under its own services commission to ensure its independence. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, August 9, 2015.

A former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer wants the agency to be placed under its own services commission to ensure its independence, following the sudden transfer of its two senior officers who were critical of the police's raids and questioning of its staff over alleged information leaks on a probe into a state-owned investment firm.

Datuk Abdul Razak Idris, who is president of the Association of Former MACC Officers, said an anti-corruption officers services commission should be set up as soon as possible.

"Currently, any transfer, promotion and appointment are under purview of the SPA," he said in referring to the Malay acronym of the Public Services Commission.

"For the agency to have more freedom, we need to be given the power to hire, promote or transfer our staff," he said, adding that as long as MACC remained under public services, it would not be independent.

In April, MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull said the setting up of such a commission would empower it to hire and fire its officers without going through civil service protocols.

In this way, the chief commissioner would be appointed independently in accordance with the Federal Constitution and the agreement of the Council of Rulers.

The sudden transfer of MACC Special operations division director Datuk Bahri Mohamad Zin and strategic communications director Datuk Rohaizad Yaakob to the Prime Minister's Department, effective Monday, had sent shockwaves through the anti-graft agency, which was still recovering from the police’s action on its staff.

Seven MACC officers have been questioned by police and the agency's special operations division raided as part of the police probe into alleged leaks of information on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

MACC is suspected of having leaked official information on the probe, which Bahri has denied.

This followed The Wall Street Journal's (WSJ) report last month citing documents from Malaysian investigators which showed that US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) had been deposited in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's personal bank accounts.

Police are also probing the leak of a purported draft charge sheet against Najib that was given to UK-based website Sarawak Report, which reported on it.

MACC has since confirmed the transfer of the huge sum to Najib's accounts, but said it came from a Middle Eastern donor, and not from 1MDB.

However, the agency had said it would ask Najib to provide an explanation on the donation.

The police's actions against MACC have been slammed by opposition leaders, civil society and members of the public, who have expressed support for the agency's work.

Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said police temporarily postponed their probe into the commission to avoid numerous assumptions and public perception, a statement MACC welcomed today.

Khalid also defended the police, saying they never intended to interfere in any investigations, let alone target any particular institution, especially the MACC.

- TMI