MACC chief should be given prosecution powers

(The Malay Mail) KUALA LUMPUR: The Parliamentary Select Committee on Corruption will be proposing to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to give the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner prosecution powers, said its chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad.

He said this was necessary to regain the people’s confidence in the MACC besides improving the commission’s image.

“We all know the MACC only has investigative powers while all prosecution comes under the jurisdiction of the Attorney-General. This has not sat well with the people and we are of the opinion that changes must be made to the Constitution to allow the chief commissioner to also prosecute cases,” he told reporters at Parliament’s lobby after chairing a meeting of the committee today.

He said with the empowerment, MACC would be able to discharge its duties more efficiently and effectively.

Radzi, who is also Kangar Member of Parliament, added that the committee would also be proposing to the goverment to raise the commission’s budget so that it could function more effectively.

He said the committee was of the view that the MACC should have autonomy in hiring staff and should not have to depend on the Public Service Department for its manpower needs.