KUCHING: The much-awaited formation of the Malaysian Commission on Anti-Corruption (MCAC) was endorsed by the cabinet yesterday and is expected to be passed by Parliament at the current meeting.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who made the announcement in his keynote address at the national integrity convention here, said the MCAC Bill would replace the Anti-Corruption Act 1997.

He said the current parliamentary session would be extended to Dec 18 to enable the bill to be debated and passed.

Abdullah received thunderous applause when he made the announcement.

He said the MCAC Bill would include provisions for the setting up of an Anti-Corruption Advisory Board and a Special Committee on Corruption.
"God willing, when the bill is passed, it would be fundamental towards the formation of an anti-corruption commission with the necessary checks and balances via external scrutiny.

"The MCAC is modelled after Hong Kong's Independent Commission on Anti-Corruption and New South Wales' Independent Commission Against Corruption, which are among the best anti-corruption agencies in the world," Abdullah said.

Members of the advisory board would be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the prime minister while the special committee would comprise selected members of parliament.

"The advisory board would advise the commission on matters concerning corruption in the country while the special committee would study the commission's annual reports," Abdullah said, adding that the cabinet had also agreed to the formation of two other panels to solidify the MCAC.

The Consultative and Anti-Corruption Panel would assist the commission in propagating anti-corruption awareness while the Assessment of Operations Panel would ensure that investigative actions and decisions were responsible and transparent.

Abdullah also announced that the commission's manpower would be doubled.

"Recently the Public Services Commission (JPA) approved the recruitment of an additional 1,379 ACA officers and in the next few years, the commission would have at least 5,000 additional officers.

"JPA is also in the midst of drawing up a better staff remuneration scheme for MCAC as this is important to attract professionals. This includes experts in forensic auditing.

"I think MCAC would be the first body in the country with forensic auditors."

Abdullah expressed hope that the Malaysian Commission on Anti-Corruption Bill 2008 would receive the full support of members of parliament.

He said the effort to uphold integrity was a noble one that would chart the course of the nation's future.