Media statement by Dr. Hiew King Cheu in Kota Kinabalu on Thursday, 8^th December 2011:

MACC should have "NO Fear and NO favour"!

According to the International Transparency Organization publication on the world international index on corruption, Malaysia has again dropped in its ranking to number 60 this year. This is the 3rd consequent year that the ranking had dropped, meaning that the corruption in Malaysia has increased tremendously.

Malaysia (60) has fallen behind the countries like Hong Kong (12), Singapore (5), Brunei (44), Tawain (32) and Japan (14). It is sad to see that the Malaysian corruption Index had fallen from year to year and no sign of improving. We have dropped from 33 in 2002, 37 in 2003, 39 in 2004, 44 in 2006, 47 in 2008, 56 in 2009, and now 60 in 2011.

The drop in the corruption index has shown that the effort put in to fight corruption is no way near enough. The government is seen not doing their part to fight corruption, but in many cases have actually indicating that there are encouragement to bring about corruption and making rapid growth to corrupt practices. This can be easily seen through the many government projects that were not being tendered out, awarded through closed door negotiation or direct award.

The recent Audit General report had highlighted hundreds of cases where there are clear indications of corrupt practices involved. The case of the super highly priced binoculars is one of the many highly priced items purchases by the government. Very sorry to say that the authorities simply had replied that there was no corruption, but merely that the binoculars were purchased a bit more expensive only. How can a binoculars costing some RM1,600 became RM56,000?

The famous cow case of the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) is a typical case, and why has the MACC did not move in to investigate on whether there is foul practices and abuse of power? In fact, the MACC should act immediately upon the various discrepancies and irregularities highlighted in the AG report tabled in the Parliament recently. The MACC can not say that they cannot investigate until some one filed the complaint and request for investigation. MACC should act and to check on all alleged cases of suspected corrupt practice cases without having to wait for some one to file report. This is especially so when it is involving government projects or contracts. No one should be exempted and let free irrespective who they are and what position they are holding, and not even the Prime Minister and his Ministers. MACC has to use its vested power to act independently and to be effective, or else how can we fight corruption?

The International index on corruption has dropped is because our MACC is not effective, not efficient, and not independent enough. The MACC should have "No fear" and "No favour" to fight corruption in the country, or else with the continuation of the trend of corruption, Malaysia will surely fall again on the corruption ranking internationally. Therefore, I urge the MACC to work hard and exercise their power to fight corruption at all cost, even costing or losing their jobs.

* Dr Hiew King Cheu, MP for Kota Kinabalu