Bar calls for meaningful institutional reform in MACC

The Malaysian Bar congratulates Mohamad Salim Fateh Din on his appointment as the chairman of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s anti-corruption advisory board for the 2025–28 term.

Mohamad Salim is tasked to lead with transparency, uphold the highest ethical standards and ensure that the MACC remains an independent and effective institution.

With the weight of his responsibilities and high public expectations, this appointment must translate into effective actions that strengthen public confidence in Malaysia’s anti-corruption efforts.

We hope that this tenure will bring about meaningful institutional reform in the MACC, strengthening its independence, integrity and effectiveness in combating corruption.

The urgency for reform within the MACC has long been evident, particularly in light of past controversies that have tested its institutional resilience.

Scandals such as the 1MDB case and the tragic death of Teoh Beng Hock have raised serious concerns about the MACC’s transparency, accountability and ability to function without political interference.

Malaysia’s stagnant ranking at 57 in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index further underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reform.

To address these long-standing issues, the Malaysian Bar calls for structural reform of the MACC, including:

• Removing the MACC from the Prime Minister’s Department and placing it under parliamentary oversight – The continued placement of the MACC under the PM’s Department raises concerns about executive influence over the agency. The Malaysian Bar urges the government to expedite the proposed transition of the MACC to operate under the direct purview of Parliament. This reform would institutionalise the MACC’s independence, ensuring that its investigations are free from political interference and reinforcing public trust in its ability to combat corruption impartially
• Establishing an anti-corruption service commission – This independent body would be responsible for appointing and overseeing the MACC chief commissioner and officers to ensure that leadership appointments are merit-based and free from undue influence. The service commission would also be empowered to remove the chief commissioner for misconduct or inability to perform duties, with a fixed tenure of five years to prevent arbitrary dismissals
• Restoring the Anti-Corruption Agency name – Reverting to the original Anti-Corruption Agency name would distinguish the agency from its oversight mechanism, clarify its role, and enhance public confidence
• Enhancing parliamentary oversight through a joint committee on corruption – A bipartisan joint committee on corruption should be established to oversee senior MACC appointments and ensure greater accountability. The joint committee should reflect representation from both the House of Representatives and the Senate and be chaired by an MP from the opposition to ensure a non-partisan approach to oversight

The Malaysian Bar firmly believes that the creation of these three key bodies – the service commission, the parliamentary oversight joint committee and the anti-corruption agency, which are hoped to be operating independently yet subject to mutual oversight – is essential to safeguarding the integrity of anti-corruption efforts in Malaysia.

Only through such reforms can the MACC regain public trust and function as a truly independent anti-corruption institution.

The Malaysian Bar further urges the government to prioritise additional critical reforms to combat corruption, including:

• Tabling and enacting the political financing bill before the next general election to regulate political donations and prevent undue influence over the democratic process
• Expediting the implementation of the new asset declaration format for senior public officials and MPs to promote transparency and prevent illicit wealth accumulation

The Malaysian Bar urges the government and relevant stakeholders to prioritise these reforms and take concrete steps to strengthen the national anti-corruption framework.

We remain committed to advocating a legal and institutional structure that upholds the rule of law and promotes transparency and public confidence in Malaysia’s fight against corruption. – Bar

Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab is president of the Malaysian Bar.

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

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