Double standards: Guan Eng raps MACC over Zahid-UKSB revelations

KUALA LUMPUR – DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng has taken the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to task, claiming that the agency has once again failed to carry out its responsibilities and duties. 

He claimed that the revelations of a witness in the corruption trial between former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) have highlighted MACC’s apparent favouritism and double standards in enforcing the law. 

“MACC’s actions are very disappointing. It is clear that it has been used as a political tool,” he alleged in a post on Twitter today, adding that comprehensive change must be implemented within the agency to restore lost confidence. 

Pendedahan saksi dalam kes mahkamah melibatkan Zahid Hamidi dan Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) dan Bestinet menunjukkan bahawa SPRM sekali lagi telah gagal menjalankan tanggungjawab dan tugas mereka.
(1/10) pic.twitter.com/Hy92oHOnp8

— Lim Guan Eng (@guanenglim) June 20, 2022

“Otherwise, not only will this situation worsen, but even more damage will occur in the government administration, which will be detrimental to the nation and the people because of corruption.” 

His critiques follow MACC’s decision on Saturday to open investigation papers under the MACC Act 2009 against individuals who were alleged to have received financial contributions from UKSB. 

Top politicians named by the prosecution witness include former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican as well as Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein. 

Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and former foreign affairs minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman were also mentioned by the witness. 

Questioning how MACC could claim to have been unaware of the involvement of other political personalities besides Zahid, he stressed that those who had received money from UKSB should be prosecuted. 

“If Zahid is guilty of accepting bribes, then the others are also guilty,” he asserted. 

UKSB entered into several agreements with the Malaysian government and the Home Ministry for visa facilitation services by operating several One-Stop Centres (OSC) in China from 2012 onwards.

Zahid is facing 33 charges of receiving bribes amounting to S$13.56 million (RM42 million) from UKSB as an inducement for himself in his capacity as a civil servant and the then home minister to extend the contract of the company as the operator of the OSCs in China and the VLN system as well as to maintain the agreement to supply the VLN integrated system paraphernalia to the same company by the Home Ministry.

Ironically, Lim is also facing graft charges over the controversial RM6.3 billion Penang undersea tunnel project for allegedly soliciting gratification and receiving financial inducement during his tenure as the state’s chief minister. 

Both charges are punishable under Section 24(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which carries up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of not less than RM100,000, or five times the value of the gratification, whichever is higher, upon conviction. – The Vibes, June 20, 2022