Disclosure of identities would ensure transparency.
An anti-graft group has urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to disclose the names of politicians currently under investigation.
Revealing the identities would enhance public trust in MACC’s efforts, said the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4).
If significant evidence had been gathered in the early stages of investigation, “enough to warrant further investigation, then MACC should disclose the names of those involved”, said the centre’s CEO, Pushpan Murugiah.
However, former Transparency International Malaysia president Akhbar Satar said non-disclosure of identities until there is a trial in court is the standard procedure to ensure fairness.
“What happens if the case turns out to be baseless?” said Akhbar, who once held positions in the anti-corruption agency.
Another anti-corruption campaigner, Jais Abdul Karim, said while disclosure would enhance transparency, MACC must carefully consider the legal and ethical implications.
“It must adhere to legal and ethical standards and provide clear explanations to the public to prevent misinformation or unjust harm to individuals who may be wrongly accused or are still under investigation.”
C4’s Pushpan told FMT that disclosure of identities “would show that MACC is being transparent in their investigations and are open to public scrutiny”.
His remarks come days after MACC revealed that politicians were involved in over 60% of 156 investigations into high-profile and public interest cases since 2020.
Pushpan also suggested that MACC report its findings to the parliamentary watchdog Public Accounts Committee or a special select committee on corruption.
MACC has said that 211 people have so far been arrested, with 91 of them brought to court to face a total of 454 charges.
Since 2018, only a few corruption cases involving politicians, including Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Najib Razak and Muhyiddin Yassin, have been publicly disclosed. – FMT