YOURSAY | 'There may be crooks in Parliament, but at least there will be accountability.'

Azam fears political interference if MACC placed under Parliament

Monty: MACC chief Azam Baki, not one person in the country believes that MACC is completely independent. Not one person in the country has complete faith in your competence and integrity to lead this agency.

The evidence is all there for everyone to see. Sure, we have some successes in MACC’s prosecutions, but let us be blunt: they came about only because of public pressure.

There is ample evidence that many attempts were made to delay and hinder MACC investigations. Besides, suggesting that MACC should be completely ‘independent’ would be madness. Who would police the MACC? You? In recent times, you have proved to all of us that your own honesty is questionable.

Parliament must always be the body to appoint and police the agency. Of course, as you point out, there are crooks in Parliament too, but at least there will be transparency and accountability, not only to the public but also to the king.

No system is perfect, but we must all strive to ensure the accountability of all individuals and bodies in the country.

Corruption has already done immense damage. Look at the legacy left behind by the former Umno leader and prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Apanama is Back: Azam, you asked us, "So, tell me, what is the problem with the present system?” The problem is you!

As for Court of Appeal Judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali’s case, you behave as if MACC works for fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin. Why is this? This is the reason why we need to park MACC under Parliament.

Doubtful: Parliament is a political body. I agree that MACC should not be parked under such a political body as it will be subjected to the political pressures and the ever-changing policies of the majority politicians in Parliament, for example, Umno, if it wins the 15th general election (GE15).

Under existing law, MACC is already an independent body. That is not an issue. The issue is the personnel working in MACC, especially the head.

What is required is for Parliament to pass a law for the appointment of the head by an independent body comprising both government and opposition MPs, and the head's removal must be by way of a tribunal to ensure independence and security of tenure.

With such processes in place - which minimise the interference of the government - there is no need to park MACC under Parliament.

What's more, most MPs today are totally useless and ‘cari makan’ (self-interest) types. Do you want to park MACC under such politicians?

Public Transit is Better Than Highways: Not many people know this, but MACC is actually under the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) jurisdiction.

So tell us, Azam Baki, would it be better for MACC to be under PMO and expect it to be freer from political influence rather than it being under Parliament and accountable to the public?

Hmmmmmmmm: A man of integrity will not only not hesitate to park MACC under Parliament but actually encourage it. It will free him from the grip of the PM.

But that is for a man of integrity. A clean, incorruptible person. Anyway, Azam has no business showing his preference as it is not up to him whether MACC should be parked under Parliament.

I Am Malaysian: Parliament comprises all elected MPs, it is not the government of the day. For example, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is bipartisan.

Obviously, Azam has something to hide when he suggests that MACC is better off independent. If MACC were under Parliament, then perhaps PAC can demand Azam to answer for his dubious share dealings issue or face legal action instead of being snubbed by him with impunity and nothing can be done about it, as it seems.

Bluemountains: The MACC must not only be independent but also transparent, particularly on the issue of ownership of shares in the MACC chief's account.

The MACC chief had publicly declared that his account was used by his brother to purchase the shares (that is, proxy trading); contradictory to the SC's findings.

According to the SC's findings, there was no evidence of proxy trading. The PM had asked Malaysians to accept the SC's findings. There has been no further investigation on the matter.

So far, even the PAC had failed to summon the MACC chief. So, where is the transparency?

Quigonbond: There are good and bad things about the United States, but their system of institutional governance can still show us how it is done. All their key executive positions need to be approved by the Senate.

Senate committees can call them for questions without interfering with their day-to-day operations. The integrity of investigations is preserved. That's the accountability we are talking about.

There is nothing much we can do with regard to Azam as he panders (to certain quarters) to preserve his job and carry on the political bidding of his masters.

If enough Malaysians think this is another issue abandoned by the PN/BN government, then vote the right one in to effect the reform.

Orange Panther1466: It's incredible that we have a MACC chief with such a skewed mindset.

I recall the MACC chief has not even adequately explained the existence of substantial shares in his account. The Securities Commission had debunked his lie about it being his brother's.

The several so-called MACC "oversight" boards have proven to be ineffective. So, who exactly is Azam accountable to? The docile oversight boards?

No wonder he wants to preserve the status quo.

Mano: "A senior minister texted me asking, ‘Am I being investigated?’ I replied, ‘Yes, thank you, sir’. After that, there was nothing more," said Azam.

If your story is authentic, you should send a reply like this:

"MACC is independent, Sir. This is not the kind of conversation, I as the head of MACC, should be having with you. Everyone, including you and that fisherman in Terengganu, is the same. Please stop communicating with me.”

You should have threatened the politician (whether he or she is from the ruling party or opposition) for abuse of power by asking for such information as it is an official secret.

Until a person is arrested, this is an official secret, am I right?

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