Pradoxes of Public Accountability in Malaysia: Control Mechanisms and Their Limitations

Abstract

Public accountability has become difficult to ensure for there are a variety of factors, often rooted in the politico-bureaucratic institutions, that render accountability mechanisms largely ineffective. Since the utility of existing mechanisms of accountability is under challenge, governments have made increasing use of newer and non-conventional tools/strategies to enforce responsible administrative behavior. This article seeks to contribute to the understanding of public accountability in Malaysia and its limitations. In particular, it focuses on the mechanisms of public accountability and their roles in theoretical and empirical terms. The article begins with a brief overview of the Malaysia's political and administrative context.