We acted professionally, says MACC panel member as term expires

The Operations Review Panel (ORP) under Tan Sri Dr Hamid Bugo had a challenging task, especially in handling investigations involving Datuk Seri Najib Razak who is implicated in two financial scandals, a member said. "I will sum up that all are people of integrity who wanted to follow the law," said the member who spoke to The Malaysian Insider on condition of anonymity. He said it was unlikely they would be reappointed based on the unwavering stand they took against the prime minister. "It was unfortunate this committee had to deal with the matter when the scandal first became public last July. "But members performed their task in a professional manner which the public is now aware of," he added. Others in the panel were Tan Sri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan, Datuk Zamani Abdul Ghani, Datuk Azizah Arshad, Datuk Wan Abdul Wahab Abdullah, Professor Dr Normah Omar, Dr Sundramoorthy M. Pathmanathan and Lim Chee Wee. Their one-year term came to an end yesterday. The panel was appointed administratively by the prime minister among experts who represent relevant professions, and who can represent the quality of integrity and independence of MACC. The panel acts as the check and balance mechanism for ongoing cases, cases to be prosecuted or for cases where no charges are preferred by the public prosecutor. It may also present its views of certain cases to MACC if further clarifications are needed. The panel is one of five oversight committees set up following the 2009 rebranding of MACC, previously known as Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA). Another administratively set up panel whose appoinment also comes from the prime minister is the Consultation and Corruption Prevention Committee. The other three, Anti-Corruption Advisory Board, Special Committee on Corruption and the Complaints Committee, are legally constituted panels as required under the MACC Act 2009. – February 25, 2016.]]>