KUALA LUMPUR (March 28): The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) has been instructed to come up with a proposal for establishing an independent body empowered to investigate complaints against all enforcement agencies, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“When there were issues regarding the IPCMC (Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission), questions were raised by the police as to why it was targeted only at them, while these issues exist in all enforcement bodies.

“In my opinion, this is a better recommendation, whereby an independent body is empowered to take action and investigate all complaints or allegations against all enforcement bodies,” the 10th PM of Malaysia told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (March 28).

Anwar was responding to a question from Damansara Member of Parliament Gobind Singh Deo, who asked what were the steps taken by the government to ensure complaints against the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), especially the high-level leadership, will be investigated independently.

“If you remember, when we were in the opposition, we raised the need for an independent system or mechanism of investigation to address these complaints,” Gobind said.

“I still remember. That stance has never moved,” replied Anwar, adding that the establishment of the new independent body is likely “not difficult” to carry out.

“There are already instructions to the AGC to present recommendations, so that these enforcement bodies will not investigate themselves, but having an independent body to investigate them.

"This matter, I think, is not difficult, because there were already recommendations previously,” said the Tambun MP.

On Monday, MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya said the level of corruption among enforcement officers on the frontline had risen to worrisome levels.

In a statement, he said a minority of unethical officers are seeing the influx of illegal immigrants, foreign workers and students into Malaysia as opportunities to solicit bribes, despite the fact that some of them had work permits and student visas.

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