KUALA LUMPUR – The Home Ministry will leave it to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate ministry officers suspected of being involved in the alleged misappropriation in a sukuk agreement worth RM596 million.
Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the MACC should be given ample space to carry out its responsibilities in accordance with the law.
“The MACC is free to carry out any investigation that is appropriate. I lead the Home Ministry, while that (investigations) is the MACC’s area of duty and responsibility,” he said.
He said this when asked to comment on developments in the investigation into the sukuk case after attending the 216th Police Day celebrations at the Kuala Lumpur Police Training Centre here today.
On Wednesday, the MACC arrested four individuals, including a company’s director and chief financial officer, to assist the investigation into irregularities in the sukuk agreement related to a project for the registration, recruitment, and biometric data storage of foreign workers in a ministry.
All the suspects, aged between 40 and 55, were detained at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.
Meanwhile, when asked to comment on the welfare and well-being of police personnel, Saifuddin said the matter is an ongoing effort – not seasonal or just in conjunction with Police Day.
“When we look at the tabling of the budget recently, in terms of living comfort, the prime minister announced a joint allocation of RM500 million with the Defence Ministry for the purpose of upgrading police personnel’s residence facilities, which was also given attention.
“Other things such as the revision of salaries is an ongoing effort by the police force, for example, recently the PSD (Public Service Department) approved a special allowance for the special action unit. Hence, it is not seasonal but an ongoing effort,” he said. – Bernama, March 20, 2023
