‘Low’s appointment against TI-M ethics’

KUALA LUMPUR: Paul Low violated Transparency International’s code of ethics when he accepted his appointment as a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, former MACC advisor Robert Phang said today.

He said Low, who has yet to quit his post as Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) chief, caused shock among the organisation’s executives when he accepted his new job.

“His appointment is a violation and serious breach of the TI-M code of ethics,” he added. “I’m sure there’ll be outcries from TI-M members.”

Recently, Low explained that his job in the Prime Minister’s Department was to propose changes to government systems, procedures and processes to reduce opportunities for corruption.

He said he had no enforcement powers and was hoping to rely on the Prime Minister’s stature to enable him to fight corruption.

Referring to that statement, Phang said it was an admission by Low that he was a lame duck.
“So what can the rakyat expect from him?”

Phang claimed that TI-M members were already questioning Low’s integrity. He said the anti-graft watchdog would now have to monitor the new minister’s performance.

He said Low would now face a set of challenges that were different from the ones he had to deal with as TI-M chief.

“Monitoring and implementing are totally different ball games.”

Commenting on the cabinet line-up, Phang said the high number of new faces caused him some concern. It could mean that a high proportion of the cabinet did not have enough experience in governance, he added.

“Their performances will be put to a real test and this will reflect on the efficiency of the cabinet and government machinery,” he said.


Source :  https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/05/20/%E2%80%98low%E2%80%99s-appointment-against-ti-m-ethics%E2%80%99/