Malaysiakini reporter not sole focus of MACC’s probe, says Azam

 

Azam Baki said MACC will investigate journalists, politicians and civil servants if there are allegations of corruption against them.

PUTRAJAYA: 

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has denied that its investigation is limited to the Malaysiakini journalist arrested for allegedly soliciting and accepting a bribe from a foreign workers’ agent.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the anti-graft agency is also investigating a syndicate suspected of facilitating the entry of foreign workers into the country.

“We have said this many times, we are also investigating the cartel involved in bringing in foreign workers. The investigation is ongoing.

“But if anyone forces others to pay money in exchange for not publishing an article, that is an offence,” he told a press conference at the MACC headquarters here today.

Azam said journalists, politicians and civil servants can all be investigated by MACC if there are allegations of corruption.

“Once the probe is completed, I assure you that the investigation papers will be submitted to the deputy public prosecutor for review to determine whether there is a case (to prosecute).

“This is our standard practice, based on our past experience and in reference to cases decided by the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court,” he said.

Last Saturday, Azam confirmed that Malaysiakini journalist B Nantha Kumar was arrested on Friday night for allegedly soliciting and receiving a bribe from a foreign workers’ agent.

He denied that the arrest was because of the news portal’s recent article about a foreign worker trafficking cartel.

He said the journalist had allegedly solicited RM100,000 from the agent in exchange for not publishing two articles about him, with the sum eventually reduced to RM20,000.

The agent lodged a report with MACC, after which the anti-graft agency carried out a “trap-case”, he said. - FMT