Our
parliamentary democracy is built on the principle of ‘check and balance’ of the
executive who have been elected by the people. Independent institutions have
the role of preventing abuse of power in public office and taking appropriate action
on wrong doers. Public accountability
and good governance are an integral part of human rights and citizens action
which is guaranteed by our Federal Constitution.
Malaysian
policies and legislation has established independent mechanisms which have a
public duty to save guard and protect public interest. These institutions
include the Attorney General, the Auditor General, the Inspector General of
Police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency, the Human Rights Commission of
Malaysia (SUHAKAM), Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) and the
Parliamentary Accounts Committee. They are to undertake independent monitoring,
investigation, inquiry, and assessment and identify wrong doers who are then must
be prosecuted.
PROHAM
recognises that action or in action by the executive is weakening both parliamentary
democracy and good governance in Malaysian society. Collective action is
urgently needed to reverse this trend in the public interest.
As
we reflect on three current issues in Malaysian society, PROHAM is deeply
concerned for the state of democracy, human rights and public accountability in
Malaysia society.
First,
the civil action by the Department of Justice in the United States on July 20,
2016 raises questions to why similar actions were not undertaken by our
national institutions which had been undertaking different enquires. The US DoJ
has filed a civil lawsuit seeking to seize assets that it claims were embezzled
from 1Malaysia Development Berhad by certain individuals who have been named.
In
contrast, the authorities in Malaysia are yet to take action on Datuk Shahrol
Azral, the former CEO of 1MDB who had been singled out by the Parliamentary
Accounts Committee as per the PAC report (2016:pg 105) which was released on
April 7, 2016. Follow up action to the PAC report is urgently needed to restore
public confidence and bring wrong doers to justice.
Second,
the coming to effect of the National Security Council Act and its provisions
have major restrictions to human rights in security areas. This too further
enhances executive powers. There are already sufficient laws to ensure the
safety and security of the nation.
Third,
the proposed amendments to the Legal Profession Act 1976 will greatly impact the
independence of the Malaysian Bar. This too is viewed as restricting
fundamental rights to voice out the abuses by the executive.
PROHAM
calls on the Malaysian executive to adhere to international governance
standards and compliance to fundamental liberties. An immediate stop must be
put on any action or inaction which will compromise the integrity of the
independent institutions. Failure to do this will see a further erosion of
public confidence both nationally and globally of the current administration of
Malaysia.
Issued
on behalf of PROHAM by Datuk Kuthbul Zaman (PROHAM Chair) & Datuk Dr
Denison Jayasooria (PROHAM Secretary General).
July
30, 2016
