KUALA LUMPUR, THURS:
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the tabling of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Bill 2008 and the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2008 by the Prime Minister yesterday reflected the government’s serious attitude in fighting corruption and strengthening further the integrity of the judiciary.
Najib said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had held discussions with him in determining the principles for the contents of the two bills which was tabled by Abdullah at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
“We can describe the move in tabling the two bills as the aspiration of the government, particularly the Prime Minister, to fulfil all the promises for reforms stated previously,” he told reporters when asked on the tabling of the bills.
Earlier, Najib launched the book on Taib Andak – “In A Class of His Own”, here today.
In addition, he said the bills also aimed to raise the integrity of the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) and the judiciary so that they would be more credible and gain greater public confidence in discharging their responsibilities.
The MACC Bill, which has 74 clauses and nine divisions, will replace the Anti-Corruption Act 1997 and will take effect from Jan 1, next year.
The MACC Bill was also formulated to boost the integrity of the public and private sectors’ administration by establishing an independent and responsible anti-corruption agency.
The bill on the judiciary was formulated to set up the Judicial Appointments Commission which would be responsible for the appointment of judges for the Federal Court, Appeals Court and High Courts, including the Appointment of the Chief Justice.
The Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2008 contains 37 clauses and five divisions and will only take effect on a date to be decided later.
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