KUALA LUMPUR: The Institutional Reforms Committee (IRC), which was set up by the Council of Eminent Persons on Tuesday, will identify, examine and fix several important institutions in the country.
Former Court of Appeal judge Datuk KC Vohrah said IRC would look into having check and balance in the key institutions to ensure that the rule of law was in place.
He said among the main institutions that the committee would look into are the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Election Commission (EC), Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), and enforcement agencies such as the police.
“We will collect information and data as well as recommendations from these institutions. Then, we will identify, examine and fix what needs to be fixed in these agencies.
“There is a need to strengthen the rule of law and having check and balance in place.
“We will look into it and it would be presented to the council once we have gathered the findings,” he said at the IRC’s first press conference after being formed on Tuesday, at Ilham Tower here, today.
He added that the process would take about two months and the committee is expected to present the recommendations to the council by July.
National Human Rights Society president Datuk S. Ambiga said they would study all aspects and would have changes in the agencies.
She said IRC would also look into some legislations such as the Anti Fake News Act.
“There may be some amendments in the Act but we would be looking into it first, and some other laws in the country.
“Besides that, these institutions by right should be independent entities and not tied to any political parties.
“Once the council receives the findings and recommendations, it would be presented to the Prime Minister,” she said.
Also present were other IRC members including Suhakam commissioner Datuk Mah Weng Kwai, National Patriots Association president Brig Gen (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji and University Malaya Professor of Law, Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi.
The Council of Eminent Persons was established on May 12 to advise the government on economic and financial matters.