C4 Center urges DAP to prioritise key anti-corruption reforms

 

The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) has welcomed DAP’s recent promise to speed up reforms, but is doubtful whether this will lead to real action or is just talk.

C4 Center highlighted that DAP’s significant loss in the recent Sabah polls is a direct consequence of the government’s failure to deliver key reforms, which contributed to public scandals that severely undermined trust in political leadership.

It said civil society organisations have long pointed out that many promised reforms under the current government have been abandoned quietly or delayed indefinitely.

“For many Malaysians, these statements will unlikely come as a surprise - the current Madani government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, of which DAP is part of, is widely perceived to have long fallen short of introducing widespread anti-corruption and good governance reforms.

“Many of these were promised during Anwar’s campaign trail for the 15th general election in 2022, and reiterated through public statements and policy documents such as the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024-2028,” the group said in a statement today.

It listed several reforms that remain incomplete or delayed, including the separation of the attorney-general and public prosecutor roles, reforming the MACC, and forming new laws such as the Freedom of Information Act and Political Financing Act.

MACC

C4 Center noted that while some reforms have been introduced, their implementation was largely ineffective.

These include the Government Procurement Act 2025, which it said centralises power with the finance minister, and amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, which restrict disclosure avenues to government agencies only.

Corruption cases

C4 Center also criticised what it described as the government’s reluctance to pursue high-profile corruption cases, saying this has only deepened public scepticism.

It pointed to the series of discharges not amounting to acquittals (DNAAs) and acquittals for individuals implicated in major scandals, including former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and Segambut Bersatu deputy chief Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad.

“Political appointments have also not abated despite earlier promises to the contrary. Further disappointment has come with the thrice-reappointment of Azam Baki as MACC chief commissioner despite being mired in a scandal of his own.”

Najib Abdul Razak

Previously, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke vowed that his party would compile all the feedback it received from Sabah voters during the recent state election, and work towards regaining public confidence.

This came after the party and other peninsula-based parties suffered a crushing defeat in the polls, with DAP getting wiped out in all eight state seats it contested. This includes the six constituencies it previously won with large majorities in 2020.

Pakatan Harapan only managed to secure one seat through PKR’s Jamawi Ja’afar in Melalap, while Perikatan Nasional, which fielded candidates in 42 seats, won only one through PAS’ Aliakbar Gulasan in Karambunai. - Mkini