Brothers remanded

Businessmen in custody for three days pending MACC investigations into Gatco.

SUNGAI PETANI: The Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) has objected to plans of setting up a National Integrity and Good Governance Department (JITN), as the budget can be better used to improve existing enforcement agencies.

“We already have agencies such as the MACC, Integrity Institute of Malaysia and Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission.

“We also have the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia to oversee matters concerning human rights.

“Forming a new department will be costly and will require hiring new staff.

“Their scope of duties will be similar to other law enforcers,” said MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad.

Dzulkifli also added that what needed to be done was to improve and strengthen the laws, human resources and welfare of existing agencies.

“The Government should oversee the welfare of law enforcers.

“Go and see the conditions of police barracks. They are poorly maintained.

“If we want to decrease corruption and abuse of power in enforcement agencies, the problem will not be solved if law enforcers do not have their welfare taken care of.

“I will defend them (law enforcers) when needed, and take action against them (if they do wrong),” he told reporters at the corruption-free pledge-signing ceremony here yesterday.

Bernama reported that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Paul Low said the Cabinet had given the green light for the setting up of JITN to serve as a coordinating body to lead transformational changes in the public and private sectors.

He said the department will be focusing on good governance, integrity and human rights.

Forming a new department will be costly and will require hiring new staff. Their scope of duties will be similar to other law enforcers.

Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad