MACC risks creating climate of fear, Woo says over search for Chai

 DAP Youth chief says conducting investigations in an intimidating manner erodes public confidence in institutions and the unity government.

DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong said anti-graft efforts must always be underpinned by professionalism, due process and respect for civil liberties. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 DAP Youth has expressed concern over the manner in which the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is seeking James Chai, a former aide to Rafizi Ramli, to assist in an investigation.

DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong said MACC’s actions risked creating a climate of fear among Malaysians due to the impression that enforcement powers could be used in an intimidating manner.

Woo added that Chai, a visiting fellow at Singaporean think tank ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, was not a fugitive financier like Low Taek Jho, or a powerful businessman facing corruption allegations.

“As such, conducting a high-profile investigation against the individual appears disproportionate and unnecessary.

“While DAP Youth firmly supports the fight against corruption and upholds the independence of enforcement institutions, such efforts must always be underpinned by professionalism, due process and respect for civil liberties.

“The rakyat are watching closely, and therefore MACC must not engage in political witch-hunting against an ordinary citizen,” Woo, a Perak executive councillor, said in a statement.

The Pasir Bedamar assemblyman also said investigations conducted in an intimidating manner would erode public confidence in institutions like MACC.

He said the government would then bear the political consequences from Malaysians.

Yesterday, MACC issued a public search notice for Chai, who was special functions officer to Rafizi and is currently working in the UK.

Chai criticised the search notice, which displayed the address of his childhood home, saying it was excessive and appeared to be intended to portray him as a fugitive with something to hide.

He also said the agency’s officers could have reached out to him through his friends or former colleagues in government if it really could not contact him.

However, MACC said its investigating officers made several attempts to contact him before the notice was issued, and that one officer was even blocked by Chai’s telephone number on WhatsApp on Feb 26.

The agency also said attempts to portray normal investigative procedures as acts of persecution were unwarranted, and that Chai should cooperate with its investigation if he had nothing to hide. - FMT