KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Corruption Watch (MCW) has come to the defence of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in response to comments made by the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Centre).
MCW president Jais Abdul Karim acknowledged the concerns raised by C4 in their press release titled "Public trust without MACC reform is just a fantasy."
However, he said that while every institution had room for improvement through reform, it was crucial to recognise the significant strides the MACC had made in enhancing transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in the fight against corruption.
"Contrary to C4's portrayal, the MACC is an independent body established under the MACC Act 2009.
"Legally, it does not operate directly under the authority of the Prime Minister," he said.
Jais said that the MACC Act granted the commission the autonomy to conduct investigations without external interference, including from politicians.
He said that the MACC was monitored by five independent oversight bodies, comprising respected members of society, experts from various fields, and parliamentarians, ensuring the commission acted without arbitrary or political influence.
"The MACC is required to submit an annual report to Parliament through the Special Committee on Corruption," he said, adding that this process fostered transparency and allowed parliamentarians to scrutinise the commission's actions.
Jais pointed out that the MACC's investigations into public interest issues, such as water-related problems in Kelantan and corruption involving enforcement officers — including politicians from various parties — underscored the commission's commitment to combating corruption.
"While we respect the role of civil society organisations in promoting good governance, C4's statement presents an imbalanced view.
"The suggestion that public trust is unattainable without reform overlooks the progress the MACC has made. Such negative accusations can undermine public confidence in institutions established to safeguard the interests of the people and the country."
MCW also raised questions about C4's transparency as a non-governmental organisation receiving undisclosed foreign funding.
Expressing concerns about the potential influence of external entities on C4's agenda, he said: "Full transparency regarding funding sources is crucial for NGOs, just as it is for government bodies, to ensure they serve the interests of the Malaysian people rather than external agendas."
"We urge C4 and other stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue instead of issuing unilateral public criticisms.
"Collaboration between the MACC and civil society organisations will be far more productive in achieving meaningful progress," he said.