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Tuesday, December 02, 2008, 03.02 AM

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PM: Institutional reforms on track

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The reforms include ensuring transparency in appointing the judiciary, strengthening the anti-corruption initiative, speeding up the process of enlarging the social safety net and having the government renew its commitment to building a united nation.

Abdullah said before ending his term, he would table three bills in Parliament to establish the Judicial Appointments Commission, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and a Special Complaints Commission that would enhance the integrity and effectiveness of enforcement agencies.

"Our institutions must be reformed and strengthened," he said in a statement issued after the Barisan Nasional supreme council meeting at Putra World Trade Centre yesterday.

Abdullah said the Judicial Appointments Commission would propose judicial appointments in a transparent and merit-based manner.

He also said there was a need for a strong and effective anti-corruption body. As such, he would table the bill on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission "before the end of the year". The commission would have greater powers of investigation and enforcement

and its overall structure will be modelled after the successful Independent Commission Against Corruption in Hong Kong.

Abdullah also promised to speed up the government's commitment to strengthen and enlarge the social safety net. He said this would be done to help poor and disadvantaged Malaysians, regardless of background, race or religion.

"I will also work to ensure that tangible results can begin to be enjoyed in Iskandar Malaysia, as well as the development corridor initiatives around the country."

Abdullah said he would convene an early BN convention next year to ensure that the government renewed its commitment towards building a united and harmonious nation.

"Society has seen an alarming decline in inter-racial and inter-religious relations and various issues have cropped up which threaten to tear the very fabric of Malaysian life."

He said these issues needed to be tackled head-on, adding that it could be tackled through dialogue and dealt with constructively and even-handedly.

"We should focus on the points that unite us rather than the points that divide us."

Asked if he would get any opposition in the tabling of the bills, Abdullah said there would be no opposition but that there "might be differing opinions, which may not necessarily mean opposition".

Abdullah said he expected the support of his colleagues on the matter.

Asked if he would abolish the Internal Security Act before he stepped down, he said there were certain issues that he might not have the time to carry out.

Abdullah started out his statement by saying that he had been in public service for over 45 years.

"I have served this country as a civil servant and as an elected representative of the people. I have served as a member of the government and feel blessed to serve in the highest office in the land.

"I have seen this country grow from a small, poor nation into the modern, prosperous Malaysia that we live in today.

"Despite our successful track record, for the past few years I have firmly believed that our nation is standing at an historic crossroads.

"We must reform some elements of our nation. We must evolve and mature or we risk losing all that we have gained in over 50 years. Throughout this time of reform and transformation, we need to be united more than ever before."