The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) has called for the immediate suspension of all MACC officers implicated in a so-called “corporate mafia” scheme, pending the outcome of independent investigations.
In a statement today, the anti-corruption watchdog said details of the MACC’s “Section D” operations must also be made transparent and publicly available while probes are carried out.
“The C4 Center is outraged by these revelations, which indicate deep-rooted corruption within Malaysia’s primary anti-corruption agency.
“We demand that the government makes immediate effort in investigating these findings, reforming the MACC, as well as the suspension, pending investigation, of all officers involved,” the group said.
The call came after a Bloomberg exposé alleged the graft-busting units' involvement in a purported “corporate mafia” ring that allegedly colluded with businesspersons to seize control of locally owned companies.
C4 Center further urged all parliamentarians to respond swiftly by tabling a special motion to debate the matter in Parliament, and for a probe by the Public Accounts Committee and the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Election and Institutional Reform to be made without delay.
In addition to the accountability measures, the watchdog underscored the urgent need for institutional reform.
“Allegations as damaging as these signal an urgent need for MACC reform. Yet, the government has done little to inspire confidence that it is actively pursuing reform,” the group added.
It noted that under the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024-2028, the government merely pledged to “relook” requirements in the appointment and dismissal of the MACC chief commissioner, a move which C4 Center described as “hardly a definitive commitment to change”.
The group also criticised the Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s public defence of MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki following his latest shareholding controversy.
Azam’s shares
Yesterday, Bloomberg and Malaysiakini had separately reported that the Companies Commission of Malaysia records revealed that Azam had at some point held considerable shares in two publicly listed companies.
Azam had owned 17.7 million shares in Velocity Capital Partner Berhad and around 4.52 million shares in Awanbiru Technology Berhad.
The MACC chief commissioner said he had declared all his shareholdings to the Public Service Department and had disposed of his portfolio by July last year, though he did not mention a specific date.
Later, when questioned regarding calls for Azam to be sacked, Anwar had questioned why he would “sack someone who is doing their job?” and urged the public to “read Azam’s explanation”.
As such, C4 Center pressed for the government to expedite reforms to strengthen the MACC’s institutional independence, starting with removing the prime minister’s power to appoint the MACC chief commissioner.
It also demanded an expansion of the Ombudsman Malaysia’s jurisdiction to investigate misconduct complaints against the graft-busting commission.
‘Baseless, malicious’
The MACC has since dismissed the allegations, describing the Bloomberg report as baseless and malicious attempts to tarnish the commission’s reputation.
“MACC stressed that the commission will not comment on allegations that are speculative in nature, defamatory, or involve matters currently under court consideration (sub judice) or subject to ongoing legal proceedings.
“The commission rejects any claims or assumptions that its investigations are influenced by personal interests. All investigations conducted by the MACC are firmly in accordance with the law, guided by evidence, and carried out independently without fear or favour,” it said in a statement today.
It added that prosecution decisions fall under the discretion of the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the judiciary, in line with Malaysia’s legal framework based on the principle of separation of powers.
As an enforcement agency, its functions and roles are governed by the MACC Act 2009 and are subject to oversight by five independent monitoring bodies, the commission pointed out.
In addition, MACC urged those with credible evidence of corruption or wrongdoing to channel the information through proper avenues to enable action in accordance with the law. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.