KUALA LUMPUR: Putrajaya is studying all aspects in relation to inclusion of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into the schedule of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) Act 2009, says Ramkarpal Singh.
The Deputy Law and Institutional Reforms Minister told the Dewan Rakyat during the oral question and answer time on Wednesday (June 14) that a Cabinet paper was tabled on April 19.
Following that, a meeting chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said to collate views was held on May 2.
The meeting was also attended by the EAIC and MACC commissioners as well as the Attorney General’s Chambers, among others.
“On May 17, a working level discussion was held to discuss the terms of reference related to this matter,” he said.
He added that a pro-term committee has also been set up to look into the matter.
A working meeting will soon be held by the Prime Minister’s Department's Legal Affairs Division director-general to study the views of stakeholders including NGOs.
He was responding to a question by Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad (PH-Kuala Selangor) on whether the government’s intention to place the MACC under the EAIC was to ensure the independence of the anti-graft body and exercise effective regulation to improve integrity among enforcement agencies and officers.
On another note, Ramkarpal (PH-Bukit Gelugor) said police reports can be lodged if there are leaks of information related to MACC probes.
“Of course, MACC doesn’t permit the leak of information related to probes, as this is part of investigations as it is for all cases. If there are any leaks, this can be addressed by lodging police reports for further investigation,” he said.
He was responding to a supplementary question by Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan (PN-Tasek Gelugor) on the leaks of investigation information to the press by unnamed sources.
“I have experience dealing with MACC. I feel there is one thing that needs immediate attention. Lately, there is a lot of information which was leaked by unnamed sources that are published as news on the MACC investigation,” said Wan Saiful.
This raises the question of whether this information was leaked on purpose by MACC for certain reasons,” he added.
He then asked the government about its plans to curb the “selective” leak of information related to the anti-graft agency’s probe.
