KUALA LUMPUR – Renowned economist Professor Edmund Terence Gomez has stepped down as a member of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) panel, citing a failure to discuss accusations of conflict of interest against some of its leaders.
Speaking briefly to The Vibes, the academic said that the anti-graft body must be investigated, seeing that some of its leaders have been implicated in a few articles reported by online portal Independent News Service.
“An urgent investigation is required by an independent body to ensure that MACC is led by officers of good repute,” Gomez said when asked about his resignation.
In his resignation letter to Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel chairman Tan Sri Borhan Dolah, Gomez raised his concern that there was a “nexus between business and law enforcement” and a “conflict of interest” allegedly involving members of its top leadership.
He said that the reports raise disturbing questions on whether these individuals had declared their extensive ownership of corporate stock, as required by law.
“Equally disturbing is these reports’ further claim that a former MACC chief commissioner was involved in a conflict-of-interest situation, suggesting a trend in this institution that must be investigated promptly,” said Gomez.
He added that he had written to Borhan on November 12 to discuss the matter and received an immediate reply that the matter will be brought up in a meeting.
The professor had also raised the issue with the anti-graft body’s advisory board chairman Tan Sri Abu Zahar Nika Ujang three times, but was met with a wall of silence.
Two weeks later, Gomez claimed, he had sent another letter to Borhan with more details regarding the possible conflict of interest involving these top leaders and their family members’ business interests.
“On December 14, 2021, a month after I first brought this matter to your attention, I wrote once more to you.
“I mentioned that I had not received your response to my second letter on November 26, in spite of the urgent matter at hand that we, the members of the Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel, had to discuss.
“I then stated that if I did not hear from you that I would have to submit my resignation from the Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel,” said Gomez, adding that since it has been two weeks, he was forced to step down. – The Vibes, December 27, 2021
