KUALA LUMPUR – An anti-corruption watchdog has called on law minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar to look into allegations of collusion between the country’s enforcement agencies and syndicates with urgency, in view of public concern over the matter.
The Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Centre) said an announcement by Wan Junaidi that investigations on claims made by the Edisi Siasat account on Twitter are ongoing offers some relief, but does not inspire public confidence.
It said the allegations must be dealt with through nothing less than a full-blown and independent investigation, led by independent and capable professionals outside of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and police.
“The findings must be made fully transparent to determine how much truth there is in the allegations,” C4 Centre said in a statement.
“The need for a truly Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission cannot be cast aside anymore. The government (of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) must make this an urgent priority.”
C4 Centre also reminded that former inspector-general of police (IGP) Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador had warned of cartels and high levels of corruption within the police force upon his retirement late last year.
On March 19, he had alleged that there was a cartel in the force that included younger officers conspiring to remove him. He said the group of younger officers were masterminds of a cartel that wanted to dominate the country’s security force for personal interest.
“The current IGP has uttered little to nothing on pursuing any sort of investigation on such claims,” C4 Centre said.
“No one has since been named or charged for abuse of power and corruption, and the impunity continues.”
C4 Centre also called on Wan Junaidi – who is minister in the Prime Minister’s Department – to use the 2015 research conducted by itself, the Bar Council, and other non-governmental organisations to create an independent oversight body to monitor the work of the commission, and the credibility of the appointment process of the chief commissioner and his leadership.
It said the newly set-up National Anti-Financial Crime Centre should lead the formation and facilitation of an independent probe into the alleged rising transgressions within MACC and the police force.
The leaders named in Edisi Siasat’s allegations should also be instructed to go on “garden leave” pending a thorough probe, it said.
“The government owes it to the Malaysian people to report all findings about these serious criminal allegations committed by MACC officers,” it said.
“There must be no holds barred for truth to emerge at long last.” – The Vibes, November 9, 2021
