Reforming ACA: Why takes so long?
The ACA reform was long overdue but only after four years taking over from Mahathir, Pak Lah’s finally had the gut (or is forced?) to announce his government’s intention to make the ACA a fully independent commission which will be answerable to Parliment. It is obvious, the announcement had something to do with the fact that BN had suffered a severe blow in the recent general elections that clearly shows Malaysians are fed up with BN.
But knowing how Pak Lah and BN Government work, many of us are taking this announcement very cautiously.
Malaysians will not want a new anti-corruption commission which purports to be independent in name only but not in fact in spearheading the fight against corruption to restore integrity in the nation’s public life – becoming a second Suhakam which is tasked to be an independent body to protect and promote human rights but is completely unable to do so without the necessary powers and wherewithal to carry out such a human rights mandate.
Source: Lim Kit Siang Blog
Human rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia said the people should not get too excited over the decision.
“We must take into consideration the kind of ‘independence’ the ACA will have. Are we talking about full independence or nominal independence?” asked coordinator Moon Hui.
Source: Malaysiakini
Who can blame them? Look at how Pak Lah handle the “Correc coorect correct” VK Lingam video case. In the first place, he took so long to finally set up a ‘commission’ to investigate the scandal. When the panel was finally setup, the terms of reference was so restricted that shows he was just “melepaskan batuk di tangga”. Bear in mind also Pak Lah still failed to take any concrete actions to restore the state of our judiciary despite offering ex-gratia payments to affected judges.
Is he really serious with his latest announcement? If he is, then why is he taking so long to do it? Is it because the move requires amendment of the law? If so, remember the case of Rashid from the Election Commission? Pak Lah changed the constitution in just a matter of days that so that the old man can still remain in service to head the BN’s dirty trick department a.k.a Election Commission. So why can’t Pak Lah work superfast this time for a better cause? Or is the announcement just another window dressing to fool the Malaysian people yet again?
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