Nazri's outburst against MACC official rapped

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz's angry reaction to a senior official in the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission's complaint has been described as "plain irresponsible and anti-transparency".

“Blasting (MACC’s deputy commissioner) Mohd Shukri (Abdul) who revealed that Attorney General (AG) had not followed up cases that had been investigated is just plain irresponsible and anti-transparency.

"Why is Nazri so angry with Shukri’s frank explanation to the extent of calling him weak? Are there things to hide?” asked PAS vice president Mahfuz Omar in parliament yesterday.

Mahfuz said Nazri and the Federal government should be instead thank Shukri for his courage to reveal what has been hindering MACC's anti-graft fight.

Shukri recently told a public forum entitled “Political Corruption: Perception or Reality” that the AG’s Chambers had on many occassions refused to file in court graft cases despite being recommended for prosecution by the MACC.

"We suggested many cases to the DPP. To us, they are valid cases (to be charged in court), but to the deputy public prosecutor, there is insufficient evidence, so what can we do?" he was quoted as saying.

Mahfuz, who is the Pokok Sena MP, said Shukri’s admission was the third high profile complaint by senior officials against the AG, Abdul Gani Patail.

“Before this, it was former Commercial Crimes Investigation Department head Ramli Yusuf and former KL City CID chief Mat Zain Ibrahim who came forward to expose Gani," recalled Mahfuz, adding that there might be more "who are afraid to voice out".

Mahfuz reiterated the need for a tribunal to investigate Gani.

Nazri, who in the past came out strongly against MACC's suggestion that cabinet ministers declare their assets to the Commission, had chided Shukri for complaining, accusing him of having weak character.

"In fact, he does not need to make any explanation to the public because it is the job of AG's Chambers to prosecute an individual. His job is only to investigate. I hope this will not confuse the people,” said Nazri.

Puchong MP Gobind Singh also rapped Nazri over the remark.

“Is this the opinion of the PM’s Department? When a censure is made, we bluster them,” he was quoted by Malaysiakini as saying.

-Harakahdaily