KUALA LUMPUR: It is "dangerous" if anti-corruption duties are to be placed under the purview of the executive for a prolonged period as it will raise the issue of accountability.

Agreeing that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should be placed under Parliament's prerogative, Special Committee on Corruption (SCC) chairman Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim said this was because the rights of the people were protected by the august house.

"Being accountable to the Parliament carries a heavier weight compared with being accountable to the executive.

"So, what's the problem if MACC is to be placed under Parliament?" he told reporters after delivering his opening speech at the Malaysian Parliament Symposium Conference: MACC Joint Senators' Anti-Corruption Forum, here, today. 

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki last week expressed his concern that the commission would be subjected to political interference should it be placed under Parliament.

Rais said, concerns over political interference in the matter were presumptive as anti-graft agency had already been monitored by SCC and the Select Committee on Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption.

"What needs to be done is to formulate their role. For example, SCC's role can be expanded under Section 14 of the MACC Act.

"In addition to give advice and examine the annual report of the commission (MACC), we should be given the role to give justification on matters related to corruption, just like the Public Accounts Committee that gave recommendations to the government on financial related matters," he said.

Earlier, in his speech, Rais also said the people should have a say on which body should oversee the MACC.

Under Section 14 of the MACC Act, the function of SCC is to advise the prime minister on any aspect of the corruption problem in Malaysia; to examine the annual report of the commission; to examine the comments of the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board as to the exercise by the commission of its functions under this Act; and to seek clarifications and explanations on the annual report of the commission and the comments of the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board.