PUTRAJAYA: Fifty non-governmental organisations (NGOs) across various sectors are against the establishment of the proposed National Integrity and Good Governance Department (JITN).
A petition signed by the NGOs was submitted to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at its headquarters here on Tuesday.
MACC head of staff Datuk Norazlan Mohd Razali received the petition from the 10 NGO representatives, headed by Malaysia Corruption Watch president Jais Abdul Karim.
Jais said JITN is a threat to MACC’s independence and will impede it from free and fair investigations, especially into corrupt government officials.
The petition also protested against politicians who insulted MACC’s work in combating corruption.
It voiced the NGOs commitment to defend MACC’s autonomy, and called for the government to reinforce the commission.
“We object any political agenda that would cloud MACC investigations,” Jais said at a press conference, claiming that there is a real concern that JITN will control MACC.
According to Pertubuhan Jaringan Rakyat Malaysia president Ng Lum Yong, JITN is unnecessary as the two agencies have overlapping responsibilities.
“I came to protest because MACC is doing a good job combating corruption and needs to continue investigating without fear,” said Ng.
He added that manpower and financial resources allocated for JITN should be channelled to MACC instead as the commission is facing manpower shortage.
Jaringan Melayu Malaysia president Datuk Azwanddin Hamzah said the petition is the NGOs first wave of protest and they will continue to pressure the Government into scraping the JITN proposal.
“Based on a survey on 90,000 people, Malaysians are starting to put their trust back in the MACC and other government agencies,” he said.
“If another agency is established unnecessarily, it will backfire and will take away the people's trust in MACC and the Government.
“We, the NGOs, do not agree and do not support JITN. The Government needs to reconsider its proposal,” he added.
In September, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Paul Low said that JITN would be set up as an upgrade of the Integrity and Good Governance Division under the Prime Minister’s Department.
He said the matter was being finalised by the Public Services Department, in consultation with all the relevant agencies.
He said this is to ensure that there was no duplication in functions, as well as to improve the use of resources and manpower.
MACC has voiced its objections over the new agency with chief commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad reportedly saying that the budget allocation for the department can be better utilised by improving existing agencies and the welfare of its staff.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/10/03/ngos-claim-jitn-will-affect-independence-of-macc/#8AXKey3mUDbaiQbl.99
