MACC must reveal, act on our robbers: Anwar says, echoing DAP

KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has echoed calls by fellow coalition colleague DAP, pressing for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to reveal the identities of those allegedly involved in corrupt procurements transactions within the health sector.

“The MACC must go ahead to reveal and take action against those who robbed public funds when the pandemic hit us two years ago,” he said in a brief statement today.

Anwar was referring to MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki’s revelations made yesterday during an anti-corruption forum where he asserted investigations unearthed corrupt practices and bribery in the procurement of medical services and equipment to manage the Covid-19 pandemic.

Azam said other shady dealings involved abuses of power by diverting relief aid and stimulus packages, with bribery also detected among enforcement officers during the various movement control orders that were enforced.

DAP’s Anthony Loke had also pressed for Azam to make public the identities of those allegedly involved in the corrupt transactions.

The DAP secretary-general also called for the Public Accounts Committee to summon Azam to provide information related to the issue, and for greater transparency from the MACC to name and shame all ministries, departments, and agencies entangled in the embezzlement.

Anwar today also lauded developments into the repatriation of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) assets as revealed by Azam during the forum, when he said MACC’s job is far from done when it concerns reclamation of 1MDB’s assets.

“I welcome the statement by MACC’s chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki concerning their efforts to bring back home every cent of 1MDB’s funds.

“I urge the MACC to take swift action concerning this issue because it involves our attitude of graft busters towards corruption and embezzlement of public funds,” Anwar wrote.

Azam had said that in 2020, RM14 billion worth of assets were recovered, with another RM5.11 billion repatriated last year. – The Vibes, May 25, 2022