PUTRAJAYA – Costing RM430 million to build and sitting on a 2.07ha plot, it boasts the largest anti-corruption agency complex in the world.
Yet, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in Presint 7 here has a wonky intranet, where important emails – such as concerns over questionable business activities of the chief commissioner – are not sent through.
This can only be the conclusion from Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (LPPR) chairman Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang, when confronted with evidence that former MACC adviser Prof Edmund Terence Gomez had sent his complaints to the secretariat email.
Gomez, a former Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel (PPPR) member, had quit after his emails calling for a meeting to discuss concerns over the business activities of MACC commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki had not been entertained by either Abu Zahar or LPPR chairman Tan Sri Borhan Dolah.
Abu Zahar doubled down at today’s press conference, even swearing before Allah that he had not received Gomez’s emails, despite the latter providing evidence to the contrary.
Met after the press conference and told that the emails were sent to the secretariat at [email protected], Abu Zahar was asked why the secretariat had not forwarded such an important email.
“I don’t know. They would have sent it, but we have issues with our email.”
Another advisor, Datuk Hamzah Kassim, also narrowed down the reason to the problematic office intranet, where emails at times do not go through.
“We have raised the matter with the administration,” he said.
Another advisor and MACC officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added that the problem had been going on for a while.
“We also asked for our own email account instead of mails going through the secretariat, but have yet to receive any news on this,” said the advisor.
Abu Zahar, however, said Gomez has other avenues to contact him instead of raising the matter publicly.
“I am accessible. I am sure he has my phone number. Even you, the press, can call me.”
Opened in 2017 by then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the MACC complex comprises a multipurpose hall that can accommodate 1,000 people and 300-capacity auditorium where today’s press conference was held.
It also has a gymnasium, childcare centre, and library.
It seems that all it needs is a reliable intranet system. – The Vibes, January 5, 2022
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