There is nothing wrong in the ACA wanting to expand its scope of operations from the public to private sectors, except that Malaysians wonder whether this is going to be another excuse by the ACA to justify its failure to break the back of the problem of corruption, especially after the passage of the new Anti-Corruption Act more than two years ago.
Instead of talking about taking the war against corruption to the private sector, Zaki should concentrate on waging the war against corruption in the public sector to restore public confidence in the credibility, professionalism and integrity of the ACA.
Up to now, Zaki still dared not confirm or deny the four police reports
and allegations made by the former Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri
Anwar Ibrahim that the ACA had unsuccessfully recommended prosecution
of Minister for International Trade and Industry, Datuk Paduka Rafidah
Aziz and former Malacca Chief Minister, Tan Sri Rahim Tamby Cik, for corruption
and both these
recommendations were vetoed by the higher authorities.
In May last year, the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad alleged that "a former national leader" had a "crony" who had cash amounting to RM230 million. Did ACA conduct any investigation into this RM230 million cash deposit allegation by Mahathir or is this RM230 million cash deposit now proper and above-board because this "crony" had defected and returned to camp?
Instead of making meaningless publicity, Zaki should table an ACA report in Parliament on the agency’s record after 30 months of operation of the Anti-Corruption Act to enable Members of Parliament from both Barisan Nasional and Barisan Alternative to hold a full debate on the cancer of corruption in Malaysia.
(7/2/2000)