EAIC Chief Wants Malaysians To Know It’s More Than Just Your “Kotak Aduan”
Tan Sri Dr Ismail Bakar says the commission has wider powers than many realise, including the authority to assume control of internal investigations and launch its own probes without waiting for public complaints.
- The EAIC has broad statutory powers to independently investigate misconduct and take over internal agency investigations when integrity is in doubt.
- The commission proactively investigates high-profile cases, including medical visa abuse, illegal e-waste operations and deaths in custody.
- Beyond complaints, the EAIC drives institutional reform and chairs a task force aimed at improving Malaysia's global Corruption Perceptions Index ranking.
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The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) will not stand aside while enforcement agencies investigate themselves, says its chairman Tan Sri Dr Ismail Bakar as the body is legally empowered to take over internal investigations when necessary.
In an interview with TRP, Ismail said the commission is often perceived as merely a body that receives complaints and recommends disciplinary action.
In reality, he said, the EAIC is vested with broad statutory powers to independently investigate misconduct and intervene whenever the integrity of an investigation is in doubt.
According to Ismail, Section 29 of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009 (Act 700) empowers the commission to assume control of ongoing internal investigations conducted by enforcement agencies if there are concerns over their integrity or thoroughness.
“No agency can hide behind the excuse of an ongoing internal investigation to avoid independent scrutiny. Our independence is absolute because we operate completely outside the chain of command of the agencies we oversee,” he said.
Ismail, who is also the former Chief Secretary to the Government of Malaysia, explained that the EAIC is empowered to initiate investigations on its own motion, allowing it to proactively examine allegations of misconduct, abuse of power or integrity breaches even without a formal complaint from the public.
Exposing scandals, preventing abuse
Over the past year, he said the commission had established several special task forces to investigate high-profile syndicated misconduct, including medical visa abuse, illegal electronic waste (e-waste) operations and deaths in custody.
He said investigations involving deaths in custody are treated with particular urgency to ensure the rule of law and human rights are upheld without institutional interference.
Beyond investigations, the EAIC also conducts field studies to identify systemic weaknesses within enforcement agencies and recommend long-term institutional reforms.
“Our findings do not simply sit on a shelf. They become catalysts for institutional reform and immediate corrective action,” he said.
Ismail also revealed that the EAIC has taken on a bigger role in national governance by chairing the Enforcement Focus Group under the Special Task Force on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which aims to improve Malaysia’s global standing by 2033.
Ismail, who assumed the EAIC chairman in Feb 2024, said the commission’s work includes identifying corruption risks, strengthening border integrity and enhancing transparency across enforcement agencies to boost investor confidence and public trust.
“To the public, EAIC will continue to be your steadfast ally. We will continue strengthening our oversight so that no abuse of power goes unchecked because integrity remains the foundation of a nation’s progress.”
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