Source: New Straits Times)KUALA LUMPUR: The idea for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was mooted last year, and not after the results of the March 8 general election as suggested by certain quarters.
"I'm not being political here, but I just want to set the record straight that the idea was mooted in 2007 and not after March this year," said Anti-Corruption Agency deputy director-general Datuk Abu Kassim Mohamed.
"It was done due to the commitment of the prime minister and not because of the results of the general election.
"We wanted a reform (of the present agency) and this was what was discussed with the PM. But it took six months to study before anything could move.
"What should have been presented at the end of 2007 to the special cabinet committee could only be done this year. Maybe if we had been able to present to the cabinet committee then, the PM would have been able to announce the changes before the March election."
Abu Kassim said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi agreed to the proposed reforms on April 16 and the issue was then brought to the attention of the cabinet committee, which gave its seal of approval on Aug 6.
On why Hong Kong's Independent Commission on Anti-Corruption had been chosen as a model for the MACC, Abu Kassim said many politicians, non-governmental organisations and other individuals had used the ICAC as a comparison to the ACA.
He said the ICAC was internationally recognised as one of the best, if not the best, corruption prevention and investigation agencies in the world.
"Their model is the best. But, if you check the records, you will see that the ACA investigates more cases and charges more people, including major figures and politicians, than the ICAC does."
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