Leave MACC out of EAIC

THE Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) was established seven years ago to address issues of integrity among our enforcement agencies which, in certain instances, were seen to be wanting on this front.
Enforcement agencies currently under the EAIC’s purview include the Police, Immigration Department, National Anti-Drugs Agency, Customs Department, Occupational Safety and Health Department, Civil Aviation Department and the Road Transport Department
During the establishment of the EAIC, it was made known that the MACC would be excluded from its monitoring. Why was this so? Surely some rational thought must have been put in before this decision was taken. If one thinks otherwise, it is an insult to the intelligence of those who decided that the MACC be excluded from the purview of the EAIC. Let us take a step back and consider the facts from a holistic view.
The MACC currently has its own independent oversight bodies. The formation of MACC in 2009 was accompanied by the establishment of five independent overseeing bodies to monitor its activities. The five bodies are the Special Committee on Corruption which consists of seven Members of Parliament, the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board, the Complaints Committee, Operations Review Panel and Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel.
With so many oversight bodies monitoring the MACC, it follows logically that it should be excluded. It is not rational when we now suddenly opine that MACC should be under the EAIC’s watch. It is not only a monumental waste of time but sadly reflects the state of our inability to rationalise effectively.
EAIC chairman Datuk Yaacob Md Sam has been quoted in media reports saying that they want to expand the list of government agencies under their purview. They will suggest to the Government that more agencies, including the Welfare Department and Securities Commission, be brought under the EAIC’s purview. It is also being recommended that the MACC should be included. Yaacob further added that proposed amendments to the EAIC Act are scheduled to be tabled in Parliament early next year. The EAIC Chairman has reportedly said they have received a lot of questions about MACC’s non-inclusion.
What needs to be done here is to re-educate those who ask the questions, as obviously they are ill-informed of the facts behind the exemption. We need to exercise some intelligent thought here before we jump the gun.
There is nothing wrong for EAIC to include more law enforcement agencies under their supervision but it should not include the MACC. The reasons are simple. MACC has reflected a clear distinction from other agencies and one should maintain that independence. MACC was established via the MACC Act 2009 as an independent commission.
It was advised in Parliament that the MACC adopted the model of Hong Kong’s independent anti-corruption commission to create five independent bodies. The establishment of the independent oversight bodies is recognised by the international community, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
At the domestic level, the MACC is the only government institution that has five independent oversight bodies. It is high time for the nation to adopt the MACC model and apply it to other enforcement agencies.
The EAIC should look towards upholding the existing system or model of the MACC, not vice versa. One should look at the positive side of the MACC model to help improve the culture of integrity.
The Government should thus maintain the current set-up and scenario.
If the recommendation of the EAIC is accepted, the nation will, in essence, be reverting to the old scenario which does not augur well for the image of the Government.
We do not need more structural changes. All that is needed is to work within the given structure and elevate the national integrity level to that which is admirable. Malaysia needs more action rather than more bureaucratic reform. Let’s focus our energies on this front effectively.
WALTER SANDOSAM
Kuala Lumpur

http://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2015/12/04/leave-macc-out-of-eaic/

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