Enticement of MPs: PKR seeks to meet MACC chief to reveal evidence

 

PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail is seeking a meeting with MACC chief Azam Baki, saying that he has evidence on alleged attempts to buy over opposition MPs by the Perikatan Nasional government.

Speaking at a press conference this morning, the MP for Kulim Bandar Baharu also urged the anti-graft body not to let themselves be used as a political tool by the administration.

"Soon, I will write to MACC chief commissioner to seek a meeting with him in my capacity as PKR secretary-general.

"If he is willing to cooperate, I will deliver several pieces of evidence that shows how attempts to bribe MPs are ongoing," Saifuddin (above) told reporters at the PKR headquarters, where president Anwar Ibrahim launched the party's new initiative to assist women in distress in conjunction with the International Women's Day today.

When pressed to reveal more on how many MPs have been approached or the amount of money they had allegedly been offered, he declined to divulge the information at this juncture.

However, Saifuddin added, should MACC declines to extend cooperation in the matter, they would find another way.

"We have all the information in our notes. Now we want to see MACC's response first. If there is none, then we will do this through another appropriate action," he said.

Last week, Sekijang MP Natrah Ismail claimed that there was an attempt to poach her to support Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, which she rejected.

This had prompted the MACC to issue a statement, urging her and any other individuals with knowledge of such activity to lodge a report with them.

Yesterday, Natrah lodged a report with the anti-graft agency.

In the case involving Natrah, Saifuddin also accused that it was evident that the MACC was being used as a political tool.

He pointed to a media statement issued by the commission yesterday, where it said Natrah had denied being offered RM10 million.

Saifuddin said Natrah had never mentioned anything about the amount.

"Since the very beginning, Natrah had never said anything about RM10 million. My question is, where did MACC pluck this information from?

"As someone who was never offered such an amount, surely she would say that it was not true there was such an offer when asked at the MACC office.

"But the MACC then immediately denied that Natrah was offered RM10 million," he said.

For the record, in a media statement, the commission said the amount was mentioned in a Facebook page called 'Ops Johor'.

Meanwhile, Anwar claimed that the Perikatan Nasional government has become desperate to get opposition MPs into their side.

The opposition leader further alleged that Muhyiddin had lost the majority in Parliament, and thus had to resort to bribery and scare tactics by abusing government agencies.

"Why leaders choose to bribe, use force, and use all government agencies and enforcement agencies to try to buy and win support? Because they are so desperate knowing they have lost the numbers.

“Calling them (MPs), intimidating them. Precisely because they have lost the numbers," said Anwar. - Mkini