Anwar: MACC pushed ball to AG's court over dropped graft cases

 

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said the MACC pushed the ball to the attorney-general's court when asked why some graft cases were dropped.

The opposition leader said MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki told him that decisions to drop cases were the Attorney-General's Chamber's prerogative.

Anwar said this was after he questioned incidents where some MPs were charged, but others escaped prosecution, including during the Pakatan Harapan era.

"I told him that even though it was during Harapan's time (in power), there were cases where some MPs who were said to have received money from 1MDB... And there were several MPs and former MPs from Umno who got charged (over such cases).

"However, there were those who also took the money, but they crossed over to join Bersatu, and were released.

"So I said that these (cases) should not be protected. It is public knowledge. Same case, same facts, but those who stayed as the opposition (then) were charged in court, but those who 'lompat' (defected) were let off.

"And the MACC explained to me that they were not involved in letting anyone go. This, they said, was the discretion of the AGC, or the attorney-general at that time," he said.

Anwar spoke to reporters outside the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya earlier today after meeting Azam for about an hour.

"So, the AG then, and today, must answer," he added.

For the record, the attorney-general during the 22-month Harapan government was Tommy Thomas.

The current attorney-general is Idrus Harun.

Last week, Anwar had sought a meeting with Azam on the issue of alleged enticement offered to at least five PKR MPs in exchange for their support to Perikatan Nasional.

The request came after four other PKR lawmakers, aside from Sekijang MP Natrah Ismail, revealed they were allegedly approached with an offer to switch sides.

According to Anwar, during the meeting, he raised the claim by a former minister about an offer to escape from a corruption investigation, allegedly made by a senior minister.

"I spoke about several recent cases, where the focus (of investigations) was more on opposition figures. I stressed (to the MACC) that I did not come here to defend anyone, should there be strong evidence or facts about corrupt practices.

"But, I told him (Azam) that there is a specific case where a former minister complained to me, that he was given assurance by a senior minister that if he crossed over, he would be absolved from any action," he said.

The politician also told Azam that it is not good for the MACC when "big fishes are saved" from prosecution, as this would create a perception against the anti-graft body.

Meanwhile, Azam said he appreciated Anwar's support to the MACC in its efforts to eradicate corruption in the country.

"During the meeting, I was told about several issues that were raised by Anwar, that he has concerns about.

"Following this, I have given my assurance that the MACC as an agency that is being monitored by five independent panels would act professionally according to the rules of law and within the power provided to this commission," he said in a statement. - Mkini