MACC says no report lodged on money supposedly paid to politician

 The anti-graft agency says it cannot verify the allegation without a report.

MACC urged those with verified information to lodge a report so that a probe can be carried out.

PETALING JAYA:

 The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said no report has been lodged with it regarding claims involving a sum of money paid to a politician.

The anti-graft agency said it could not verify the allegation in the absence of a report.

“MACC urges those with verified information to come forward and lodge a report so that an investigation can be carried out,” it said in a statement today.

While MACC did not mention anyone in particular, businessman Victor Chin previously claimed that an unnamed PKR MP requested RM10 million in cash to resolve his legal troubles with the alleged corporate mafia.

According to Chin, he transferred RM9.5 million to the MP on Oct 18 last year. Yesterday, Chin, who is believed to be overseas, said the sum he paid was not a bribe but a “service fee” to stop “hostilities” against those associated with him.

PKR vice-president R Ramanan has since slammed attempts by “irresponsible people” to link him to Chin’s allegations about a so-called corporate mafia, firmly denying any involvement.

Ramanan said Chin’s claims, which implicate several individuals, were a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of PKR, its MPs, and the government.

The Cabinet previously ordered the police, the Securities Commission Malaysia, MACC and the Inland Revenue Board to investigate allegations that certain anti-graft agency officials were involved in manoeuvres to force company takeovers.

A Bloomberg report alleged that these officers provided intimidation “services”, such as raids and investigations, to pressure executives in targeted companies into selling shares, thus forcing company takeovers. - FMT