KUALA LUMPUR (June 8): The government's fight against corruption kicks into high gear, with the newly-formed National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption (GIACC) taking the lead.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the GIACC will be directly answerable to the prime minister.

"This is to [ensure] actions to save the nation from corrupt practices can be taken swiftly," he told a news conference a Cabinet Select Committee on Anti-Corruption (JKKMAR) meeting today.

It was also decided in the meeting that the National Integrity and Good Governance Department, the Malaysian Institute of Integrity, the Public Complaints Bureau and the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission will be placed under GIACC.

"GIACC needs to coordinate and propose restructuring mechanism for all these agencies to the Public Service Department to ensure the structure and their functions do not overlap," said Dr Mahathir.

Dr Mahathir also said the GIACC will coordinate with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), "but not cooperate".

All government units on governance and integrity have also been instructed to coordinate their positions under the GIACC.

All ministries must identify at least three weaknesses in existing laws, policies or regulations to be reviewed to reduce instances of corruption. "A report will be submitted to GIACC in one month from today," said the premier.

The government is also drafting a law that will allow punitive action against officials that deliberately cause leakage or wastage of government funds.

"To curb money politics, a [separate] Political Funding Bill will be drafted as soon as possible," he added.

JKKMAR also said a National Anti-Corruption Plan will be drafted in replacement of the National Integrity Plan, which Dr Mahathir said is high-time for a review.

Other policies in the pipeline include one relating to gifts and donations to public administration officials, including ministers and political secretaries.

"As of now, the policy is only focused on civil servants," he said, adding that the Prime Minister's Office will also enforce a no-gift policy.

The GIACC is led by former MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim. Among the body's initial tasks are to ensure 21 promises relating to governance, integrity and anti-corruption, which were identified in the Pakatan Harapan government's election manifesto, will be given specific focus for implementation at certain phases.