> Kit Siang says Bills a mockery

Kit Siang says that the JAC and MACC Bills are a 'mockery' of the reforms they are supposed to bring about.

Pakatan Rakyat will meet next week to decide on how they are going to fight the Prime Minister's two most awaited Bills on reform, which he tabled in Parliament yesterday.

The DAP parliamentary leader noted with dismay that the two Bills setting up the Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Judiciary Appointments Commission (JAC) with the aim of returning the public's trust in the institutions of law as well as foreign investors' confidence in Malaysia would achieve the opposite effect.

Lim Kit Siang said that the Prime Minister continued to play a powerful role in both the MACC and JAC, which weakens their ability to act freely.

The PM has the right to choose the top post for the MACC, as well as the members to the two complementary bodies that serve as its check-and-balance.

Lim also pointed out that the MACC bill failed to give the anti-corruption body the power to prosecute.

The JAC Bill was just as limp, said Lim.

He noted that the fact that the Prime Minister could ignore the suggestions made by the JAC and come up with his own list on which judge to promote made a "mockery" of the reforms - The Malaysian Insider.