THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has denied allegations of bias in its investigation into a journalist accused of accepting a bribe, stressing that it conducts investigations fairly and without favoritism.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki clarified that the arrest of a journalist from a news portal was based on solid evidence that the individual in question had requested and received a cash bribe of RM20,000.
He explained that the journalist received the money in exchange for retracting an article and halting further reports about an employment agency allegedly involved in a foreign worker syndicate.
"MACC does not practice selective investigations. Anyone involved in corruption, including journalists or politicians, will be investigated without exception," Sinar Harian quoted Azam saying today.
His remarks come in response to criticism from some quarters, including PAS Secretary-General Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, who described the journalist’s arrest as "odd," arguing that the individual was merely reporting on allegations of illegal foreign worker smuggling (PATI).
Takiyuddin had urged MACC to prioritize investigations into foreign worker syndicates instead.
"PAS believes it would be more appropriate for MACC to focus on investigating the foreign worker syndicate allegations rather than detaining a journalist who was simply doing their job," Takiyuddin had said.
Earlier reports revealed that the 49-year-old journalist was arrested after an investigation found that he had initially demanded RM100,000 from a foreign worker agency linked to the syndicate. After negotiations, the journalist accepted an advance of RM20,000, leading to his arrest during an operation at a hotel in Shah Alam at 11:45 p.m. last Friday.
The journalist has been remanded for four days until March 4 following an application made by MACC at the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court. The case is being investigated under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009. – March 2, 2025
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