PENANG, April 19 (Bernama) -- An Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) that is independent will be more effective in combating corruption and enhancing integrity in the public service, said Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

This would help realise the objectives of the National Integrity Plan (PIN) launched by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2004, he said in a statement here Saturday.

"It will also give greater confidence to the ordinary people when they want to report on corruption cases.

"This will also show the seriousness of our Barisan Nasinal (BN) Government in fulfilling a key promise in our Manifesto in both 2004 and 2008 Elections," he said in welcoming the ACA's proposal to be a fully independent body.

Minister in Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz Friday revealed that the ACA had submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister to allow it to operate along similar lines to Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption.