Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) wants full disclosure of basis for clearing senior public officials of corruption allegations.
TI-M calls for full public disclosure of the basis for the Attorney-General’s dismissal of corruption allegations against former ACA Director-General, Zulkipli Mat Noor and Inspector-General of Police, Musa Hassan. Both public officials had reportedly been cleared of the allegations for lack of evidence. We note that a senior police officer at Bukit Aman, also being investigated for abuse of power and undeclared assets worth about RM 27 million has neither been suspended from duty nor had his assets frozen.
TI-M is disappointed at the measures undertaken by the enforcement agencies despite the severity of the accusations. TI-M believes that the public would like to see the full report of the investigations and basis for the decisions made on all these allegations. The public must be convinced and satisfied that the enforcement agencies have taken all necessary steps in the investigations of all charges against these three officials. The government must not only uphold and prove their commitment in the fight against corruption but needs to be seen doing so. The Attorney-General would need to provide sound cogent basis for his decisions in such cases which involved the public interest and confidence in law enforcement mechanisms and the rule of law.
TI-M once again calls on Government to immediately formulate legislation for the protection of whistleblowers and to make the ACA a truly independent agency that reports to an independent commission or to Parliament directly. Independent judgment is a prerequisite for public confidence. If the agencies concerned were seen by the public to be more independent, then any doubts would be removed and the persons concerned would have their images protected more effectively. It is only fair to the individuals who are cleared to feel that they enjoy the full confidence of the public in their innocence.
TI-M appeals to the Attorney-General, the ACA and Government to strengthen their commitment to promoting transparency, accountability and integrity especially within law enforcement agencies to set a good example for the public. The first step towards a corruption-free society is to eradicate malpractice and instill a culture of intolerance for corruption within the public sector.
In a globalized world, we need to realize even more that all our actions to combat corruption are undertaken with the utmost integrity, transparency, and accountability for our public and indeed the whole world to see and appreciate. We wish that the Government would renew its energy in our national struggle against corruption for the future well being of our country and people.
Issued by
Tan Sri (Dr) Ramon V. Navaratnam
President
Transparency International – Malaysia
