[UPDATED] Study proposal of special body to probe enforcement agencies, Anwar tells AG

KUALA LUMPUR – The attorney-general (AG) has been instructed to look into suggestions for a special independent body to be set up to probe allegations of misconduct involving enforcement agencies. 

This was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Dewan Rakyat today, who said its implementation should not face many issues. 

“At present, when there are allegations or accusations against (these) bodies, they will be investigated internally. And this has been questioned,” he said in Parliament, here. 

“Now, I have already asked the AG to relook at a preliminary proposal for a mechanism whereby all enforcement agencies will be probed by an independent body if there are accusations (against them). 

“Whether this will be in the form of a commission is not ascertained yet, but there is already an instruction to the AG’s Chambers to come up with a proposal so that the enforcement agencies do not probe themselves.”

Anwar further noted that while an Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) Act will soon be in force to probe alleged wrongdoings involving police personnel, there is a lack of provision for such a move involving other agencies. 

This includes the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Immigration Department, and Customs Department, among others, he added.  

“When the issue of IPCC was raised, it was disputed by the police, who questioned why specifically them when it should include all enforcement agencies.  

“So, in my view, it is a good proposal to have an independent body to probe and take action against all complaints and accusations against the agencies.”

Anwar was responding to a question from Gobind Singh Deo (Damansara-PH) on how the government intends to ensure that all probes involving enforcement officers would not be conducted internally but by an independent body.  

Gobind reminded the prime minister of a previous call made by Pakatan Harapan, when the coalition was sitting on the opposition bench, for a mechanism that would ensure an unbiased and transparent probe.  

“We cannot have a situation whereby when there’s a complaint, high-ranking MACC officers are investigated by MACC itself. There’s no independence.”

To an earlier question by Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Masjid Tanah-PN) on the government’s preparedness to place MACC under Parliament, Anwar explained that studies on the matter are currently ongoing and that it will be implemented once they conclude.  

This includes the issue of the appointment of the MACC chief commissioner, he said.  

“Previous prime ministers have also taken several initiatives to negotiate and consider this. As such, I have no problem (implementing it).”

However, Anwar said the matter must first be tabled in the parliamentary special select committee on corruption to discuss the feasibility of the proposal. – The Vibes, March 28, 2023