We do all we can to uphold public interest, says Kassim
(The Star) – Even as he recovers from surgery at home, the head of Malaysia’s graft-busting body has issued a short, strong message at the opening of the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC): “Let us be independent.”
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed said its independence must be upheld to ensure unhindered investigations.
Kassim said that MACC was fair with its investigations.
“For that reason, the MACC officers are ready to sacrifice in upholding public interest.
“We believe that to stop impunity, all institutions in the criminal justice system must act according to the merit of the case,” he said in a message read out by his deputy Datuk Mustafar Ali during IACC’s opening.
He called on civil society groups and political parties to support MACC’s endeavours and defend the commission from any interference which would affect its independence.
“And last but not least, the prosecutors, who practically in Malaysia play a role in taking charge of prosecution, shall be purely non-selective in their line of duty. Let’s just say, we are looking for a fair trial,” he said.
This year’s conference theme is “Ending Impunity: People. Integrity. Action”.
The MACC, said Mustafar, had made progressive strides over the past half-decade in becoming more independent and transparent in its investigations.
“We are currently embarked on a transformation journey with the aim of achieving greater effectiveness and efficiency in its operations, prevention and management geared towards improving public support and confidence of the nation’s anti-graft body.
“Of course, though much has been achieved, there is much more to be done,” he said.
Malaysia ranks 50 out of 175 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) in 2014, up three positions from the year before. Its score of 51 over 100 puts Malaysia as the second least corrupted country in the Asean region, behind Singapore which ranks seventh with a score of 84 out of 100.
