Truth behind RM2.6 billion, SRC will be revealed, MACC chief tells daily

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed told a Malay daily despite budget cuts, the agency will still investigate high-profile cases. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, December 25, 2015.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chairman Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed says he is aware that Malaysians have high hopes that the truth behind the RM2.6 billion channelled into Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s bank accounts and SRC International will be revealed.

In the second party of his interview with Sinar Harian published today, Abu Kassim said MACC would not entertain any accusations made against any quarters and that the commission would continue investigating the case without fear or favour.

“We are an independent agency that investigates all the complaints on corruption that we receive. Regardless of who is accused, what matters is that the accusation must be substantiated for us to carry out the investigation.

“We will investigate regardless of background, position, or status. I hope this message reaches the public, as we have been holding true to this principle to this day,” he was quoted as saying.

He said this when asked whether agencies such as MACC could change the public’s perception, given the disruptions to the anti-graft body’s probe.

He added that MACC would make sure its operations were not affected by a RM42 million budget cut in 2016, compared with its RM297 million allocation in 2015.

“The cut will have an effect. We must be ready to face any future challenges.”

When asked about MACC’s strategy and direction, he said it would expedite all cases that must be completed this year, without foregoing quality and merit.

“That’s the priority as the year ends, and we have also laid out our direction to the officers for next year.”

Najib said the RM2.6 billion deposited into his personal bank accounts was a donation and the transactions were all above board. 

The prime minister also denied the RM2.6 billion was from any public fund nor had any link to state-owned investment firm 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB). 

The Wall Street Journal alleged in a July report that the money came from SRC International, a subsidiary of 1MDB.

- TMI