Nurul Izzah suggests formation of Independent Oversight Committee to strengthen MACC

 

CALLS ARE growing for the government to tighten accountability and rebuild public trust in Malaysia’s anti-corruption system by setting up an Independent Oversight Committee that answers directly to Parliament.

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KEADILAN deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar noted that while anti-graft efforts under the MADANI administration appear more vigorous than in the past, increased activity alone does not automatically translate into accountability.

She stressed that any genuine commitment to reform, regardless of a person’s rank or position, must be backed by proper legal procedures, openness and consistent prosecution to gain public confidence.

According to her, the proposed oversight body should have the authority to examine enforcement measures, review asset-freezing decisions, track financial movements and ensure that anti-corruption actions are grounded in solid evidence, lawful practice and the broader public interest.

She emphasised that such oversight is not intended to dilute the fight against corruption, but to reinforce it by improving credibility, transparency and trust.

“If we truly want reform, our institutions must not only wield power, they must also be answerable,” she said.

On a separate note, netizens are not too keen with her suggestion, as seen in an online post on X that carried the same news.

“Just gonna suggest? Alright, better than nothing, right?” said netizen @amer7211 while @AlhusaynMaliq thinks it is a waste of money. “Just remove the leader who has a hint of wrong doing,” he said.

“After that, make another free committee to monitor that committee. Has Azam Baki been monitored yet or not?” @sirsazly pointed out.

Another netizen suggested that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should just report straight to the Parliament.

“YB Izzah, I suggest expanding it to the police as well, not just SPRM,” added @LilyLiana1818.

Returning to Nurul Izzah, she said that a firm, independent and principled MACC remains essential to maintaining a trustworthy anti-corruption drive.

At the same time, she said raising concerns about how authority is exercised should not be misconstrued as an attack on enforcement agencies.

She observed that beyond individual controversies, many Malaysians are uneasy about how enforcement powers are applied and supervised, particularly when investigative, prosecutorial and financial authority are concentrated within a single institution without strong external checks, creating potential systemic risks.

Even when enforcement actions are well-intentioned, she said, they should not come across as hasty or arbitrary, especially in cases involving asset freezes.

Ultimately, she argued that enforcement bodies must themselves be subject to scrutiny so justice can be carried out impartially, and so that no party, including those in power, is beyond oversight.—Focus Malaysia