Prosecuting Ehsanuddin was ‘political, unprofessional’ – MACC advisers

 

An advisory board overseeing the MACC said the 2019 decision to press corruption charges against former Felda board member Noor Ehsanuddin Mohd Harun Narrasid had been unprofessional and was influenced by political considerations.

Anti-Corruption Advisory Committee (ACAB) chairperson Abu Zahar Ujang said following explanations from MACC’s top brass, the committee found that the recent decision to drop charges against Ehsanuddin (above) was due to new facts that emerged only after he had been charged in court.

The facts emerged in Ehsanuddin’s legal representations and statement of defence.

“However, ACAB views there are shortcomings in the investigation; and the decisions by the Attorney-General’s Chambers in early-February 2019 and the MACC management and administration at the time was made without a comprehensive consideration.

“Because of actions at the time that was not transparent, unprofessional and leaned towards political interests, the MACC management today has to bear its consequences.

“I and all ACAB members do not want the MACC to be politicised by any party. Any mistakes and weaknesses of the past should not be repeated,” Zahar said in a statement today.

ACAB is one of five committees appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to oversee the MACC and act as a check-and-balance on its activities.

Zahar said the committee views Ehsanuddin’s acquittal seriously, and thus sought an explanation MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki and legal and prosecution division senior director Faridz Gohim Abdullah and came to its conclusion.

Ehsanuddin was charged with 29 counts of bribery in 2019 but was acquitted of all charges when they were withdrawn on Sept 1.

Fourteen of the charges were for allegedly accepting a bribe of RM23,540.68 in instalment payments for a BMW 3 Series car from printing company Karya Hidayah Sdn Bhd in 2014 and 2015.

Another 10 charges include receiving a bribe of RM50,000 and a piece of land from the same company in 2013 and 2014.

The MACC had said the decision to withdraw charges was based on Ehsanuddin’s defence statement and testimonies by a key witness, which indicated that the money was in fact advances that have since been repaid.

Malaysiakini is contacting the MACC chief commissioner at the time, Mohamad Shukri Abdull, for comment. - Mkini