Anti-graft body needs 2,200 extra personnel
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is hoping that its workforce can be increased to 5,000 as has been promised since its establishment in 2008.
Its deputy chief commissioner (prevention), Datuk Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil, said MACC currently had a total strength of 2,800 personnel only and this shortage posed a major obstacle for the anti-graft body in discharging its responsibility effectively.
“At the time of transformation from the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to MACC nine years ago, the government had agreed to raise the total personnel to at least 5,000 to emulate the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in Hong Kong.
“But until now, the figure has yet to be reached.
“This is among the factors why MACC is facing obstacles in carrying out its enforcement and investigations, as well as conducting campaigns and educational programmes on corruption,” he said at the Roundtable Conference on the Aspirations of Malaysians in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of ACA/MACC at Hotel Putra here last night.
The conference, organised by Malaysia Corruption Watch, was participated by more than 30 individuals representing various nongovernmental organisations to discuss and share ideas on issues related to corruption and abuse of power.
The conference unanimously rejected a proposal to form the National Integrity and Governance Department (JITN), which was made by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan, to ensure that MACC remained an independent agency. Bernama