Public should be consulted over appointment of new MACC chief - ASLI

The public should be consulted over the appointment of the new Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner to ensure the person has wide national support in combating corruption more effectively.

Chairman of the Centre for Public Policy Studies at the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI) Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said if broader public consultation and consideration could not be undertaken at this time, at least the special committee on anti-corruption in Parliament should be consulted and its approval obtained.

"The special committee has three government members of parliament, another three opposition members of parliament and it is chaired by the distinguished speaker of the senate.

"Thus, its credentials are first rate and it should be fully consulted and should give its views publicly on the choice, so the rakyat will be given more confidence in the choice of the new MACC chief commissioner," he said in a statement here on Monday.

Current MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed will step down on Aug 1, while his deputy, Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull retires on Oct 3.

Navaratnam also suggested some of the criteria that the government should consider in making the right choice for the new MACC chief commissioner, including the person should be appointed from within the MACC staff and not outside.

He said the insider would have vast experience, competence, operational know-how at the ground and dedication built over the many years in combating the scourge of corruption.

He said the person should be someone of impeccable honesty and integrity and there was no sense in having a new chief commissioner who has had a chequered and sleazy record or who was even of doubtful integrity in the past.

"The new chief commissioner must be strong in personality, character and commitment to the great cause of going all out against corruption, before it spreads further in our system like cancer.

"He or she has to be able to stand up firmly and steadfastly against any political and commercial interference from any quarter, high or low," added Navaratnam.

He said the new chief commissioner had to be an inspirational leader in order to rally the MACC staff to a new stage in the war against corruption.