Three lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have raised concerns that the MACC is involved in the multi-agency probe that the cabinet had ordered into the "corporate mafia" claims.
They also opined that the multi-agency probe in itself is insufficient and should instead be part of an investigation led by a royal commission of inquiry (RCI).
Yesterday, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the cabinet had ordered the police, Inland Revenue Board (IRB), MACC, and Securities Commission (SC), among others, to investigate the "corporate mafia" claims and look into loopholes that allow for "corporate manipulation".
The "corporate mafia" refers to allegations that the MACC had colluded with private individuals to shake down business rivals.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, PKR MPs Hassan Abdul Karim (Pasir Gudang) and Wong Chen (Subang), as well as PAS lawmaker Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas), said the MACC investigating itself was a clear conflict of interest.
Hassan also called it a "funny" legal procedure.
Meanwhile, he said that without an RCI supervising, executive agencies such as the police, IRB, and SC are not qualified to probe another executive agency when there is a major scandal.
"Because all the agencies are controlled and responsible to the prime minister and the cabinet.
"In such a situation, there is no other choice. An RCI must be established immediately," Hassan stressed.
Likewise, Fadhli said that having an RCI avoids issues of conflict of interest and ensures the integrity of investigations.
"In major issues that involve public interest, the need for truly independent mechanisms is crucial to ensure the truth gets uncovered without any doubts," the PAS information chief said.
Wong also said that the RCI should be the one calling the shots, and giving directives to specialised teams from the police, IRB, and SC to investigate the “corporate mafia” allegations.
Fahmi said yesterday that investigations in their current form will look to seize any funds linked to criminal elements, while warning that several individuals have been under the authorities’ radar for years.
The probe was ordered following the conclusion of a government probe into separate allegations regarding MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki's shareholdings.
The Public Service Department's (PSD) disciplinary board will be convening soon to decide on the matter.
Azam and the MACC have thus far denied any wrongdoing in both issues. - Mkini
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