KUALA LUMPUR: Heads of government-linked companies (GLCs) and government-linked investment companies (GLICs), as well as members of the judiciary, will soon be required to declare their assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the details of the new code of ethics would be presented by the MACC in the next cabinet committee on anti-corruption (JKKMAR).
In a statement after chairing the JKKMAR meeting today, he said the asset declaration mechanism for members of the government administration, members of parliament (MPs) and senators would also be enhanced by the MACC, and would be strengthened to boost the government's credibility and integrity.
A new code of ethics for MPs would also be introduced under the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952, taking into account the principles of the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches.
"In addition, the meeting was also informed of the latest status of the Political Donation Bill. This bill will be regulated by an independent entity known as the Regulators of Political Contributions at the federal and state levels.
"The views from all stakeholders, including political parties, on the details of the bill would be taken into account before it is presented for its first reading during the upcoming parliamentary session.
In addition, Ismail Sabri said JKKMAR has agreed to form a committee to oversee the transfer of local council officers to curb graft, power abuse, and the existence of "little Napoleons".
This, he added, was to improve service delivery and governance of local authorities, strengthen integrity and provide opportunities for mobility, while and improving aspects of experience, accountability and credibility.
He said through this committee, local authority officers who have been serving in the same place for a long time could be transferred to a different local authority, with the guidelines for this being issued to state authorities.
"The meeting also agreed to make amendments to the Audit Act 1957 by the National Audit Department to strengthen professionalism and guarantee the independence of the auditor-general's (AG) role.
"These amendments would involve the provisions of the act to prevent the AG's involvement in activities or committees in federal or state services. The AG's involvement is allowed in the committee at the policy level.
"The AG's scope of work is expanded to audit any other body, including companies with government interest, subject to discretion," he added.
The cabinet committee, he said, would also review the direction of the Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM), to focus on the main functions of education and training, research and publication, as well as strategic partnership.
He added that IIM would receive a fixed annual grant of three years starting 2023 for integrity strengthening programmes through the Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Centre.
"The government is always committed to strengthening the value of integrity and ensuring that transparency in the nation's governance is improved from time to time in making Malaysia a corruption-free country," he said.