Alleged theft in ex-spy chief's case: MP questions why MACC probing itself

PARLIAMENT | Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo has questioned why the MACC is investigating its own officers over the alleged theft of money seized from a criminal breach of trust case and not the police.

The money was from the case of former Malaysia External Intelligence Organisation ((MEIO) chief Hasanah Abdul Hamid who was standing trial for a criminal breach of trust involving a sum of RM50.4 million belonging to the government.

In April, she was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal during her trial.

Gobind (above), while debating the royal address in Parliament, said theft falls under the jurisdiction of the police and raised concerns that it would be a conflict of interest if the MACC investigated its own officers.

"This is theft, theft falls under the jurisdiction of the police and not the MACC. So why is MACC the one making the arrest and detention?

"This involves MACC officers. Is the MACC going to investigate itself?' he asked.

Former MEIO chief Hasanah Abdul Hamid

The MACC today confirmed it had arrested three of its own officers as part of an investigation related to the "misuse of power and misconduct" in a case involving a "former department head". 

The claim that MACC officers had stolen RM24 million from the case had been making rounds on social media before the commission issued the statement.

Police later said it did not receive any report on the incident. 

Gobind questioned if any senior MACC officers are involved in the incident.

He also criticised the commission for asking the public not to speculate the matter, stressing that the lack of details provided by the graft buster will lead exactly to that.

Gobind said the MACC's description of the incident involving the case as "involving a former department head" was unacceptable.

"It's not a joke... this needs to be investigated by an independent and transparent entity," he said. - Mkini