LETTERS: The government should consider setting up an RCI to investigate the wealth accumulated by Malaysian figures as exposed in the Pandora Papers.
It represents 11.9 million leaked documents that the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) published, starting from Oct 3, 2021.
It has grabbed international headlines and is now starting to receive attention in our country.
The Papers have exposed the secret offshore accounts of more than 30 world leaders with extraordinary wealth, including current and former presidents, prime ministers and heads of state, as well as celebrities and business leaders.
More than 100 billionaires, 29,000 offshore accounts and 336 politicians were named in the first leaks on Oct 3, 2021.
Thus, the government cannot remain silent as a few Malaysian leaders and politicians have also been named.
Through the RCI, we would able to gather experts who are independent, knowledgeable and having experience to investigate issues relating to the papers.
An RCI can enquire into:
THE conduct of any federal officer;
THE conduct or management of any department of the public service;
THE conduct or management of any public institution which is not solely maintained by state funds; or,
ANY other matter in which an enquiry, in the opinion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, could be considered as "public welfare".
The term "public welfare" may also include the exposures and details contained in the Pandora Papers.
Since those implicated were public figures, it is pertinent to know the sources of their massive wealth, and how they were accumulated and moved around the world.
The results of the RCI will be published in a report, which contains suggestions and recommendations that must be acted upon by the relevant authorities and agencies.
To refresh our memory, setting up an RCI is not something new. Since we gained independence, there had been a few inquiries.
For example, the Royal Commission on Salaries and Conditions of Service of the Public Service way back in 1965, and the RCI to investigate issues related to Tabung Haji in 2021.
Recently, the government agreed to set up an RCI to look into issues related to Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and the South Ledge, which aims to study a 2018 decision to drop a review of the International Court of Justice's ruling on the three islets.
The setting up of an RCI to investigate issues is important because it can increase public confidence and trust in the government in its commitment to combat crime and corruption.
DR MUZAFFAR SYAH MALLOW
Associate professor
Faculty of Syariah & Laws
Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
