The MACC will begin investigating the "new development" behind the discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) of former federal territories minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor on his RM1 million graft case.
In a media statement today, the anti-corruption watchdog referred to today’s decision of the High Court in Kuala Lumpur to allow the prosecution’s application for a DNAA in the case.
It pointed out that the court’s DNAA ruling does not mean that Tengku Adnan has been acquitted because he could still be charged anytime, if leave is given by the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).
“Referring to the same case, SPRM (the Bahasa Malaysia acronym of MACC) is made to understand that there have been new developments raised by the accused, as well as a new report made against a witness in the case, which require the attention of the SPRM.ive the Investigation Paper again to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for consideration after everything is settled,” the MACC said in the statement.
Today, the High Court granted the prosecution’s application for DNAA in Tengku Adnan’s RM1 million corruption case, after being informed of new developments in the case that needed further investigation.
In the same statement, the MACC pointed out that despite the DNAA on the RM1 million graft case, Tengku Adnan is still facing another separate corruption case involving RM2 million.
Tengku Adnan (above) has this RM2 million corruption case pending before a separate bench of the High Court in Kuala Lumpur.
The decision on this matter will be delivered by the judge on Dec 21.
Meanwhile in a media statement today, the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) expressed heavy concern over the AGC’s decision to seek the DNAA in Tengku Adnan’s RM1 million corruption case.
The non-governmental organisation said the court ruling raises the issue of what exactly are the “new developments” that required further probe, and why this justifies an application for DNAA of the case, among others.
It claimed that the outcome raised the question of why the AGC chose to withdraw the case rather than allowing the court the opportunity to make a decision, and why there is no deadline given for this investigation, among others.
“C4 Center would like to remind the AGC that this is a corruption case involving a highly scandalised public official.
“There is no place for opaqueness or vague statements that cast doubt on the AGC’s pursuit of the corruption charge.
“How can this entire case simply be withdrawn due to “new developments”, when Tan Eng Boon himself has pleaded guilty to abetting Tengku Adnan to solicit a bribe of RM1 million?" the NGO asked.
It urged the AGC to always show independence and fearlessness in the pursuit of justice, even if it may be against a member of the government of the day.
On Sept 17 last year, businessperson Tan had pleaded guilty in the High Court in Kuala Lumpur to abetting Tengku Adnan commit an offence involving the RM1 million. Tan was fined RM1.5 million.
The NGO reminded the AGC to be relentless in its pursuit of corruption charges against public officials, in light of the fizzling out of several high profile graft cases in the past year.
C4 Center then referred to the example of the DNAA granted in the US$248 million money laundering case of Riza Aziz, the stepson of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, as well as the 46 corruption charges against former Sabah chief minister Musa Aman.
It warned that Malaysia’s marked improvement in last year’s Transparency International Corruption Perception Index (CPI) would suffer greatly if the country’s anti-graft efforts continued to regress, especially if the public does not receive clear answers as to why a DNAA was sought in this corruption case against Tengku Adnan.
“C4 Center urges PM (Prime Minister) Muhyiddin Yassin to focus on much-needed reforms to save Malaysia from sliding down this slippery slope - one we have spent much of the past three years trying to climb,” the NGO added. - Mkini
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