KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 11 -- An old Chinese proverb says: "A fish rots from the head."

The adage still holds true today, encapsulating the challenges faced by the federal government's watchdog - the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) - in performing its statutory duties effectively.

Speaking to Malay Mail, EAIC commissioner Datuk Seri Razali Ab Malik conceded the existence of a large gap between the agency's investigative findings and follow-up action taken by an enforcement agency under its supervision against reported misconduct.

Existing legislative weakness has also exacerbated existing hurdles, since disciplinary authorities of enforcement agencies under EAIC's supervision are not legally bound to execute its official reco...