Missing RM25mil – probe into MACC officers must be thorough, say anti-graft bodies

 

Rais Yatim and Abu Zahar Ujang are also concerned over the withdrawal of corruption cases involving certain individuals and want a strong explanation from those responsible.

KUALA LUMPUR: A thorough investigation is needed into the alleged involvement of three Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) senior officers in the theft of case materials involving over RM25 million.

The special committee on corruption (JKMR) and the anti-corruption advisory board (LPPR), in a joint statement, said the alleged perpetrators must be brought to justice as soon as possible so that the people’s confidence in the MACC remains intact.

“As a body appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong through Sections 13 and 14 of the MACC Act 2009 (Act 694), JKMR and LPPR express deep concern over the allegations,” said JKMR chairman Rais Yatim and LPPR chairman Abu Zahar Ujang in a statement after holding a meeting for the first time at Parliament building today.

Earlier, Criminal Investigation Department director Abd Jalil Hassan had confirmed that his department knew that three senior MACC officers had been arrested.

However, he said the police have not received a report on the alleged theft of case materials involving US$6 million (RM25 million) in cash belonging to Malaysia’s former spy chief, who has been investigated and has been given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal.

Meanwhile, in its inaugural meeting, JKMR and LPPR agreed to pay serious attention to several issues, especially those involving corruption cases that took too long to be decided by the Court of Appeal, some for more than a year.

According to Rais and Abu Zahar, the Parliamentary Select Committees would pay attention to this issue to maintain public confidence.

“JKMR and LPPR also take seriously the withdrawal of corruption cases involving certain individuals before and also during the course of the trial because this jeopardises MACC’s image, credibility and integrity. There must be a strong explanation from those responsible,” they said.

Meanwhile, JKMR and LPPR also agreed to work closely to undertake new efforts and approaches as well as provide a new paradigm in the fight against corruption.

Following this, the two bodies agreed to closely look into the proposal to place anti-corruption matters under Parliament through the select committees of the Dewan Negara and Dewan Rakyat. - FMT