From Nurul Izzah Anwar
While we welcome the appointment of the new Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief, a change in leadership must be more than cosmetic. It must represent a hard reset towards absolute impartiality.
With new leadership comes renewed expectations. The task before the commissioner is not only administrative but moral: to restore public trust in an institution that must stand above suspicion.
Some may question whether a former judge without an enforcement background can meet the operational demands of the role.
It is now incumbent upon the new leadership to demonstrate that integrity, independence, and resolve are sufficient to fulfil this responsibility.
This begins with clarity of priorities. MACC must demonstrate that it is prepared to act decisively against allegations of entrenched corruption, including long-standing cartels that have distorted markets and undermined public confidence, and demand clear, transparent progress.
Likewise, concerns over the curtailment and application of Section 44A of the Amla framework, which have raised questions in cases involving major corporate actors, cannot be left hanging without resolution.
Accountability is the bedrock of our struggle, but it loses all moral authority the moment it is perceived as selective or politically choreographed.
We must ask the difficult questions: why does the weight of scrutiny seem to fall disproportionately on those within our ranks who represent differences of opinion?
It doesn’t just raise eyebrows. It erodes the public’s trust in the very institutions we pledged to fix.
However, public confidence in our institutions is fragile and must be continuously earned through consistent and impartial action. I am deeply troubled by recent developments and the growing public perception that Rafizi Ramli is being subjected to a selective investigation.
MACC should be laser-focused on corruption. It should not be used as an inquisition for bad or poorly conceived policy. That would usurp the role of Parliament, the media, and civil society at large.
Doubts about the merits of certain policies have long been debated within the financial press and the private sector. But these were questions of effectiveness and judgment, not integrity.
Indeed, if poor policy decisions warranted investigation by MACC, many current and former ministers would also be scrutinised, filling the building to the brim. This is not its purpose.
We must never allow our enforcement agencies to regress and operate on the chilling premise of “show me the man, and I’ll show you the crime”.
Transparency must also be part of this renewed commitment. While members of the judiciary are rightly restrained in public communication, the responsibilities of leading an enforcement body demand a different approach. The public has a right to be informed.
Regular, credible updates on investigations are essential to rebuilding confidence and ensuring that justice is not only done, but seen to be done.
Our government has made undeniable strides in institutional reform. What is needed now is to ensure those gains are protected.
Nurul Izzah Anwar is the PKR deputy president and former MP for Permatang Pauh and Lembah Pantai.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.