PUTRAJAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is an apple in the eyes of Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Paul Low and he will protect it at all cost.

"The MACC is the apple of my eye. I think you all know what that means. And if anybody touches the apple of my eye, I will protect it and I will strike back.

"I will protect the institution of MACC in whatever investigation they do and I will protect them at any cost," said Low, when addressing the delegation of international anti-graft advocates and agencies on Wednesday.

Low added that protecting the MACC did not rest on only the Government or him as a minister but the representatives of civil society.

"If anybody touches the sanctity and independence of this institution, I believe the people should be very vocal, they should criticise and if necessary they should go to the street," said Low, to a roaring applause from a delegations of 1,000 people from international anti-corruption agencies and advocates.

"You may say this is all political talk. But I am not a politician. I do what I promise," he concluded.

Later, in a press conference, Low said he made his speech on his own accord.

"My speech is not written by the PM. He has not instructed me to say this or that. Its my speech as a Minister in charge of fighting corruption in the Government and also as a former activist," he said.