• ACA independent and transparent? I’m not buying

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi promised so many things back in 2004 and slept on it. Took a political tsunami of March 08 2008 to remind him of those promises. But why am I not buying it still?

When Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced that the ACA will undergo major reforms to make it more transparent and independent, I have my doubts. Same doubts I had with judicial reforms as well.

My impression is that ACA themselves are run by corrupt individuals. I would bet my last dollar that majority of UMNO members are shaking their head in disbelief and disapproval at Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s decision. To be convinced that the new ACA, MCAC would stand up to it’s task, I will need to see them in action for a year or two. And perhaps a few big names prosecuted for corruption. As a start, that honour should go to VK Lingam.

Another thing is, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi stated MCAC are to prepare annual reports to be presented and answerable to the parliamentary committee. Please enlighten me further as to who sits atop the committee? How transparent the process will be to parliament? No point saying MCAC is independent and transparent if there’s no further details on how those attributes are panned out.

I’m quite uncomfortable with the fact that MCAC is answerable to the parliament. Sure, it’s 50-50 Barisan National vs Pakatan Rakyat in the parliament right now, the best ratio for efficiency, checks and balance. What if in the future either party monopolises parliament like Barisan Nasional did in 2004 with a 90% majority? The Malaysian Parliament has never been a place of fairness, justice and equality. It bends to the whims and fancies of the political power. Too fickle.

Perhaps what I’m trying to say is it’s too good to be true. Judicial reform? ACA becoming ICAC (Hong Kong)? Coming out of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s mouth is like telling me pigs can fly.