Plans to take MACC out of civil service - Paul Low

Plans are being considered to take the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) out of the civil service and Prime Minister's Department, and make it answerable to Parliament.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan said a special committee had been set up to look into the plans.

"Making the MACC a separate service will require an amendment to the constitution for which two-thirds majority support in Parliament is necessary," he told reporters after opening the 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) 2015, here, today.

Earlier, when addressing the conference, Low said the MACC would be made a separate service commission to allow it to improve the capacity and professionalism of its staff and to have control over its employment terms and conditions.

He said the appointment and tenure of the Chief Commissioner must be made more secure.

He added that what was also being planned was for the Office of the Auditor-General to report to a bi-partisan special committee in Parliament, and the power and scope of audit to be enlarged.

"Malaysia is committed to protecting the sanctity and independence of its public institutions and we are currently in the process of strengthening the MACC and the Auditor-General's Office," he said.

Low, formerly president of Transparency International-Malaysia, reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the MACC from any intervention.

"I am not a politician, I will do what I promised," he said.

The conference attended by about 1,000 representatives from 130 countries is being held for three days from today at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, here.