If the MACC screens all civil service appointments and promotions, then why did it miss the corruption in the military, former economy minister Rafizi Ramli asked.
In a statement today, Rafizi said MACC screenings are mandatory, along with other checks and requirements, to determine a candidate’s eligibility for promotion or appointments in the government.
The Pandan MP backed this up with his experience as a minister, saying that the practice applied not only to senior officials, but also to those in the rank and file.
Pointing to the cases of former army chief Hafizuddeain Jantan and former armed forces chief Nizam Jaffar, Rafizi said this proves MACC vetting is inadequate in preventing those with corruption cases from being promoted.
"When things like this happen, don't blame the people if they are cynical. When it's time to promote someone, everything is fine, the MACC passes everyone," he said in a post on X.
Labelling the matter as a "plot twist", he directed his statement to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki.
"Azam proudly goes around podcasts showing that he is brave in fighting corruption - but prevention is better than cure," Rafizi added.
Corruption cases
Nizam had claimed trial at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to four charges, including abuse of power and criminal breach of trust (CBT) over RM3.75 million.
This includes allegedly abusing his authority to pocket over RM550,000 from awarding contracts to procure sarongs, bath towels and other items meant for Hari Raya gift packages.
Similarly, his would-be successor Hafizuddeain claimed trial at the Shah Alam Sessions Court to two counts of receiving proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to RM145,000.
The day before, he also claimed trial at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to four charges of receiving more than RM2.12 million in proceeds from unlawful activities.
Commenting on Hafizuddeain's case, Rafizi said the alleged corruption was linked to procurement contracts since 2023.
"When he was appointed deputy army chief in March 2023, MACC approved the vetting.
"When he was appointed army chief in September 2023, MACC approved the vetting.
"Considering that the case he was charged with was related to contracts since 2023, what kind of vetting is MACC doing?" Rafizi asked.
Hafizuddeain is the first former army chief to be charged in court in connection with a money laundering case linked to Malaysian army procurement tenders.
Rafizi said the same goes for Nizam, who was appointed as the armed forces chief on Jan 31 last year.
"One of the corruption allegations was the award of RM1.725 million to Helmee Resources on June 24, 2024; that is, before he was promoted.
"But when he was being promoted, the MACC was responsible for checking and vetting (his eligibility). But it went through," Rafizi said.
PSD requirements
Attached to Rafizi's post was a 2017 circular from the Public Service Department (PSD), which said civil servants facing a promotion must first meet the following requirements:
confirmation of their service,
job performance at a prescribed level,
certification from their head of department,
no history of disciplinary action taken against them,
an asset declaration,
passing the MACC integrity check, and
other requirements determined by an unnamed board.
Rafizi attached another PSD circular from 2010, which detailed similar requirements for promotion in the civil service.
"If an official who is considered for an acting position or promotion is still under MACC investigation or is still in the process of disciplinary action or has had a disciplinary punishment imposed upon them, complete information must be provided to inform the board," the circular read. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.