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Monday, April 21, 2008

Abdullah tackles corruption, reforming anti-graft agency

Move to strengthen ACA follows criticism over its failure to nab the 'big fish'

By Carolyn Hong, THE STRAITS TIMES

PRIME Minister Abdullah Badawi yesterday unveiled measures to tackle corruption in an effort to boost his credentials as a reformer.

Aware that he has been severely criticised for failing to meet expectations of his much-trumpeted anti-graft campaign, the Prime Minister announced that the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) would be restructured to become more transparent and effective.

It has been renamed the Malaysian Commission on Anti-Corruption and will now have an independent advisory board comprising prominent Malaysians to act as a watchdog. The board will look into cases of public interest.

A parliamentary committee will also be set up to scrutinise the commission's annual report, and can ask for clarification and explanations. There was no further details on members of the committee.

'Let there be no doubt that we are committed to renewing public trust in our country's national integrity system and institutions,' PM Abdullah said.

The new anti-graft body will also be beefed up with the addition of 5,000 officers to the current number of 2,000 in the next five years. Officers will also be better paid to attract talent. Legislation to protect informers will also be enacted, he said.

But falling short of the expectations of many Malaysians, the body appears to be less than a fully independent agency.

It still reports to the prime minister's office, not Parliament.

Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said: 'There are now additional layers of accountability, but whether he will deliver a really independent agency is for time to tell.'

The anti-graft agency has been severely criticised for failing to nab the 'big fish' and bungling major cases.

No prominent personality has been convicted of graft although two, tycoon Tan Sri Eric Chia and former Cabinet minister Kasitah Gaddam, were hauled to court in 2004.

Datuk Seri Abdullah's attempt to renew his anti-graft drive will be tough as corruption is one of the biggest problems in his own Umno party.

Tackling corruption could be damaging to him, with the loss of crucial support at a time when his position in the party is already weak.

Even his pledge to get his Cabinet to make public declarations of their assets has sputtered to a halt.

Yesterday's announcement came in the aftermath of the March 8 polls which resulted in a severely weakened Barisan Nasional and the Prime Minister scrambling to reassert his authority over the governing coalition.

Last week, Datuk Seri Abdullah announced measures to restore public confidence in the judiciary. He has also taken steps to resolve disputes arising from religious conversion.

He has denied that the measures were taken in response to the electoral beating.

'My critics will say anything. If I had done it before, they would say I want votes. If I don't do it, they would say I have forgotten my promises,' he said yesterday.

He insisted the government had already scored successes in the fight against corruption.

The number of arrests had risen by 54 per cent over the last seven years, and the conviction rate was 78 per cent, a rise of 28 per cent in five years, he said.


New name, more staff

  • Anti-graft body renamed Malaysian Commission on Anti-Corruption.

  • An independent Corruption Prevention Advisory Board comprising prominent Malaysians will act as a watchdog. The board will look into cases of public interest.

  • A Parliamentary Committee on the Prevention of Corruption to be set up, to scrutinise the annual report of the anti-graft body.

  • Another 5,000 anti-corruption officers will be deployed, more than doubling the current strength of 2,000.

  • Introduction of whistle-blower legislation to protect informers.
  • TIME WILL TELL

    'There are now additional layers of accountability, but whether he will deliver a really independent agency is for time to tell.' - OPPOSITION LEADER LIM KIT SIANG on Datuk Seri Abdullah's efforts

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