Bribery claim: Hamzah says MACC cannot interfere, cites immunity

MACC cannot intervene with regard to statements or speeches made by MPs in the Dewan Rakyat, said Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin.

“MACC must understand that MPs have parliamentary immunity.

“An MP has the right to determine when he or she wants to file a report,” he told reporters during a press conference at the Perikatan Nasional convention in Kuala Lumpur.

Hamzah (above) was commenting on MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki giving Bersatu MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan a week to file a report on his claims that there were attempts to bribe him to support Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

According to Azam, the Tasek Gelugor MP is “obliged” to lodge a report under Section 25 of the MACC Act.

On what action can be taken against Wan Saiful if he fails to lodge a report, the chief commissioner stated that there are “various possibilities” without elaborating.

“He has to come to the MACC’s office. Don’t expect MACC to bring him to the office,” said Azam.

Section 25 (1) of the MACC Act 2009 states that any person who is given, promised or offered any bribe to violate the provisions of the Act shall report such gift, promise or offer.

Bersatu MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan

On March 5, the government rescinded its motion to suspend Wan Saiful from the Dewan Rakyat over his allegations after the latter apologised to the prime minister and Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, whom the MP had mentioned.

“I admit that the sentence I said in my speech was aimed at Tambun (Anwar’s parliamentary constituency). I retract the statement made on Feb 28 and 29 and I also apologise for making the remarks.

“I also apologise for my mistake of touching on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in my speech, and retract my statement on that,” Wan Saiful told the august house. - Mkini