Suaram probe: CCM denies 'selective prosecution' claim

The Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) has claimed that its probe on human rights watchdog Suaram does not amount to "selective prosecution".

Chief executive Mohd Naim Daruwish said the commission has merely been acting on a complaint.

"There was a complaint, so we checked the accounts and annual report. (The probe) was based on the audited account. Easy and simple,” he told reporters after a coordination meeting between six federal agencies involved in the investigations.

"Whenever there is a complaint, we will examine the supporting documents, detailed accounts and other documents. If there is any suspicion, we will take action. 

“Whenever there is a complaint or a report which specifies suspicious activity, that is when we will investigate all matters in detail. It is not selective.”

Suaram's vehicle, Suara Inisiatif Sdn Bhd, is being investigated after Jaringan Melayu Malaysia alleged that its finances were suspiciousbecause it involved foreign funding.

This led to a raid on Suaram's office by the CCM and the start of the probe.

Suaram has claimed that the authorities are persecuting it for initiating a French judicial inquiry into the sale of two Scorpene-class submarines to Malaysia.

‘Ask the relevant department’

Asked if it is a crime for NGOs to source funds from abroad, Mohd Naim replied: "That is why we met today - to determine who has what jurisdiction. You can pose that question to the relevant department.

"We have determined two aspects which will be probed - that Suaram is a group that is not registered and the issue of foreign funding."

The six agencies - CCM, Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission, Bank Negara, Registrar of Societies, the police and Home Ministry - will meet again within two weeks.

Mohd Naim said that, if necessary, the agencies will set up a special task force to achieve their objectives.