> PM tables two reform bills

The much-awaited Malaysian Commission on Anti-Corruption (MCAC) and the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) bills - two of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s key reform plans - were tabled for first reading in Parliament today.

The bills were tabled by the prime minister personally in the Dewan Rakyat at about 11.40am.

He is also seeking for the second and third readings of the bills to be done in the current parliament session, slated to end next Thursday.

 

In other words, the two bills are expected to be passed by next Thursday.

 

When he about to table the bills, Abdullah was briefly interrupted by Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor).

 

Citing the standing orders, Karpal asked House speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia to first consider his motion to refer Chief Justice Zaki Azmi to a tribunal over the latter's alleged confession of corrupt practice while as a practicing lawyer.

 

The Bukit Gelugor MP, also a senior lawyer, has garnered 56 MPs to endorse his motion, which appeared on the Dewan Rakyat's order paper today.

 

Pandikar, however, said he saw no necessity to give priority to Karpal's motion. 

Meanwhile, MPs will take part in the debates on the MCAC and JAC bills - 75 pages and 23 pages long respectively - during the second reading, expected to be next week.

The two bills were tabled along with four other amendment bills, including those seeking to amend the Judges’ Remuneration Act and Pensions Act.

Outgoing PM's final act

The premier intends to see the two commissions created as part of much-vaunted reforms he has pledged before he leaves office next March.

Abdullah had announced the formation of the MCAC in April to indicate his seriousness in fighting corruption. The new body, which will have been given substantial powers, will replace the existing Anti-Corruption Agency.

The proposed JAC, meanwhile, will deal with the appointment and promotion of judges, to overcome current perceptions of undue influence by the executive in such matters.

The outgoing prime minister has also promised to table the controversial Special Complaints Commission (SCC), which was withdrawn late last year.

SCC has been dismissed by critics as a watered-down version of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission - Malaysiakini.