THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was on Monday advised not to treat any complaints lightly including "small" ones as this will have an impact on public trust in the commission.
The advice came from former commissioner of the Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), Bertrand Edouard Doger de Speville, who paid a visit to the MACC headquarters, here, Monday.
In conjunction with his visit, he also briefed the members of the board, committee and panel formed under the MACC Act 2009.
"We were sharing his experiences when he was with the Hong Kong ICAC. We also wanted to know from him the important elements for MACC to improve its effectiveness in preventing corruption," said MACC chief commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamed after de Speville's visit.
He said the Hong Kong ICAC's experience could be emulated by MACC as the structural models used by both organisations were similar.
"Experience told him (de Speville) that the MACC should investigate all complaints received, whether big or small."
In this regard, Abu Kasim said the MACC already had a special committee which met every morning and chaired by the deputy director of the Operations Division to discuss all corruption cases brought to the commission's attention.
"Cases not seen as corruption or no action to be taken will be tabled before the Operations Evaluation Panel. We see this panel as having an important role as the people's representative in monitoring corruption.
"We have to explain to the panel why these cases are not being charged. This is important to assure the public that we are not closing cases for invalid reasons," he said.
Meanwhile, asked whether the MACC should be given the power to prosecute, de Speville said: "No, I don’t think that an anti-corruption agency should have or need the power to prosecute."
"It is important that our basic principal of criminal justice be maintained that includes separating the functions of investigating, prosecuting, sentencing and sanctioning. These are distinct functions."
There have been calls from the public for the government to give the MACC the power to prosecute in corruption cases, whereas right now the power to prosecute lies with the Attorney-General (A-G).
According to Clause 3 of Article 145 of the Federal Constitution, the A-G can use his discretion to begin, carry out or stop any proceedings of an offence, except those in the Syariah, marshall and native courts. (Bernama).
TERJEMAHAN
JANGAN PANDANG RINGAN KES KECIL
Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) diminta agar tidak memandang ringan aduan yang dianggap kecil kerana ia akan memberi kesan kepada keyakinan masyarakat.
Saranan itu dibuat oleh bekas ketua Suruhanjaya Bebas Membanteras Rasuah Hong Kong (ICAC), Bertrand Edouard Doger de Speville, yang melawat SPRM di Putrajaya hari ini.
Sempena kunjungan itu, beliau turut memberi taklimat kepada semua ahli lembaga, jawatankuasa dan panel SPRM.
"Kita berkongsi pengalaman beliau ketika bersama ICAC Hong Kong. Kita juga ingin tahu apakah elemen-elemen penting yang turut beliau bukukan bagi meningkatkan keberkesanan SPRM dalam mencegah rasuah," kata Ketua Pengarah SPRM Datuk Seri Abu Kassim Mohamed kepada pemberita selepas kunjungan itu.
Abu Kassim berkata pengalaman ICAC Hong Kong boleh dicontohi oleh SPRM kerana struktur model yang digunakan kedua-dua badan itu adalah sama.
"Beliau mengatakan SPRM harus memberi penekanan bagi menjalankan siasatankepada semua aduan yang dibuat termasuk yang kecil. Kecil atau besar adalah sama besar," kata Abu Kassim.
Katanya SPRM sendiri mempunyai satu jawatankuasa khas yang bermesyuarat setiap pagi untuk membincangkan semua kes rasuah.
"Kes-kes yang dikira tidak berbentuk rasuah akan akan dibentangkan pula kepada Panel Penilaian Operasi. Kita perlu perjelaskan kepada Panel Penilaian Operasi mengapa kes-kes itu tidak dituduh.
"Ini penting untuk tingkatkan keyakinan masyarakat bahawa kita tidak menutup mana-mana kes atas sebab-sebab yang tidak telus," kata Abu Kassim.
Katanya ini akan menjadi kekuatan pada masa hadapan bahawa tindakan SPRM dipantau oleh jawatankuasa yang diwakili oleh rakyat ini.
De Speville pula, ketika ditanya sama ada SPRM perlu mempunyai kuasa pendakwaan, berkata sebuah badan anti rasuah tidak seharusnya mempunyai kuasa seperti itu.
"Saya berpendapat prinsip asas penghakiman jenayah perlu dikekalkan termasuk bagi mengasingkan fungsi siasatan, pendakwaan dan hukuman," katanya.
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