MACC advisers deeply concerned by implications of recent arrests

Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (ACAB) member Azman Ujang is deeply concerned over the alleged misappropriation of seized funds amounting to millions in US dollars by the three MACC officers.

Azman (above) told Malaysiakini that his fellow members are equally perturbed by the allegations and their implications.

"To me, the lessons that enforcement authorities must learn from this case is the urgent need to put in place regular checks and internal auditing of seized items especially huge sums of money and drugs in their custody.

"This is critical given the fact that such seizures have been reported rampantly."

He added that the MACC is taking the necessary steps to beef up its internal vigilance against such acts by rogue officers.

"Both the MACC and the police are still investigating this high-profile case which I expect to be completed anytime now, and their findings are keenly awaited by all.

"Our board chairperson Abu Zahar Ujang was reported as saying last week that the investigation papers are being examined by the Attorney-General's Chambers and the three officers are expected to be charged in court under the MACC Act and other laws," said Azman, who is a former Bernama head.

Missing money

Azman is one of seven members of the ACAB who was appointed to a three-year term last May. Aside from former Dewan Negara president Abu Zahar, the board also includes former inspector-general of police Ismail Omar and Akhbar Satar, who is Malaysian Association of Certified Fraud Examiners president.

He was speaking with regard to the arrest by the MACC of three of its officers after former Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation (MEIO) director-general Hasanah Abdul Hamid lodged a report that a large sum of cash - which the commission seized when investigating her in 2018 - had gone missing.

Malaysiakini learnt that the three suspects were part of a special investigation unit that handled Hasanah's case.

Sources told this news portal that one of the suspects is a "blue-eyed boy" within the organisation.

Malaysiakini is withholding the names of the three suspects in line with the practice of not naming an accused until the person is charged, except under special circumstances.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki has yet to respond to queries regarding this allegation. - Mkini