The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) has warned that claims by Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders that MACC’s actions against them are politically motivated are “not completely baseless”.
In a statement today, the group questioned why the anti-graft agency only began its probe and prosecution of cases linked to the Jana Wibawa programme after a new government came to power.
“Why were these investigations not initiated when allegations of the previous government’s financial mismanagement and malfeasance were already spreading?” the group asked.
It said that previous administrations were known to have used enforcement agencies to “intimidate and harass political opponents”.
C4 Center added that MACC should not be motivated by political leanings of any sort and called for the agency to be removed from the direct influence of the prime minister and the executive branch, and placed under Parliament instead.
This follows accusations by senior PN leaders that the government is using enforcement agencies in a targeted manner against political foes.
They include Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, who was charged with four counts of abuse of power and two counts of money laundering.
Former Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan also made similar claims after he was charged with accepting a RM6.9 million bribe and soliciting an unspecified amount over a RM232 million road project linked to the programme.
Yesterday, both the MACC and the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) denied there was any interference in investigations pertaining to the Jana Wibawa programme.
“We would like to emphasise that the investigation carried out against several individuals regarding the Jana Wibawa programme is an initiative based on information and evidence obtained by the commission itself.
“The investigation process is free from the interference of any party,” the MACC said, adding that the investigation papers had been referred to the AGC for proper study and consideration.
“Therefore, accusations that MACC’s investigation was instructed by certain parties and was politically motivated were not true at all, and have tarnished the reputation of this commission,” it said.
The AGC similarly issued a statement denying there were any elements of selective prosecution or undue influence in its decision to proceed with the charges.
C4 Center today called for institutional reforms that would improve transparency and accountability, including the enactment of a Procurement Act, a Political Funding Act, and the establishment of an Ombudsman’s office. - Mkini
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