KUALA LUMPUR – Gobind Singh Deo (Puchong-PH) slammed the authorities’ lack of action in addressing a controversial misconduct within the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Referring to the arrest of three senior MACC officials over allegedly misappropriating funds amounting to US$6 million (RM25 million) in seized funds belonging to the government, Gobind pointed out in the Dewan Rakyat that there has been no update on the case.
Speaking at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, he acknowledged the assurances made by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, who, in an earlier Dewan Rakyat session, had urged police to investigate the matter as it “concerns the interest of the public”.
However, the DAP lawmaker said that such platitudes do not tally with the current silence from authorities.
As usual, in the Dewan Rakyat, they (the government) say that they will be taking action but there has yet to be any news regarding this case. They are attempting to make such cases disappear – to silence these cases.
“You (Hamzah) have stated that this case is of public interest; what public interest? Where are the answers that we have asked for?” he questioned.
Gobind called out buck-passing practices among authorities, saying: “When an MACC officer does wrong, MACC provides assurance that action will be taken. When no further action is observed, the Home Affairs Ministry will give the same assurance and yet still no action is taken.”
Echoing Gobind was fellow party member Mohamad Sabu (Kota Raja-PH) who said such matters must be regarded seriously as the Prime Minister’s Department, which oversees the MACC, is an integral part of the nation.
“The Prime Minister’s Department is the pulse of the nation, and it has been invaded by corruption,” he said.
Gobind also called on the inspector general of police (IGP) to clarify the truth behind allegations made by Edisi Siasat, an online whistle-blower account.
“The IGP says that the exposé was sensationalised, but my question is whether or not what they (Edisi Siasat) reported is true,” he said.
The Edisi Siasat Twitter account (@edisi_siasatmy) garnered public attention when it alleged corrupt practices by top government officials.
Claims made by the account include cases of power abuse and malpractice among senior police officers, as well as the protection of crime syndicates by the top management of anti-corruption bodies.
In a press conference yesterday, IGP Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani dismissed the allegations, adding that 13 investigation papers have been opened to identify the person behind the account.
Meanwhile, Ramkarpal Singh (Bukit Gelugor-PH) questioned the Puchong MP’s thoughts on the establishment of an independent body such as the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).
In response, Gobind said that he has always had a consistent stand in support of such an agency, adding that internal investigations “will never lead to any action being taken”.
“If we have MACC investigating MACC or PDRM investigating PDRM, the matter will eventually be silenced.
This is a cover-up, there is no action, and I am calling on the government to respond to this issue.”
Gobind had previously raised the matter in the Dewan Rakyat on September 20, during which he had posed similar questions and demands to the government. – The Vibes, November 9, 2021
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