KUALA LUMPUR – Two opposition parties are calling on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate allegations of corruption linked to political “frogs”.
PKR and DAP, in a press conference today, questioned graft-busters for not looking into the claim made last Friday by newly retired inspector-general of police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador.
PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail warned that the lack of action will tarnish MACC’s image.
“The ball is in MACC’s court. If MACC keeps mum, it will be disastrous for the nation.”
In a statement, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng echoed Saifuddin Nasution’s sentiment.
“Why is MACC silent when the outgoing IGP says, ‘I see corruption everywhere in politics. Probe into the political frogs’?
If MACC fails to act even though the complaints of corruption originated from the IGP himself, what hope is there for the ordinary public that MACC will act on their complaints of political corruption at the highest levels?”
Hamid, in his last press conference as the nation’s top cop, accused such “frogs” of making graft a common practice, and said MACC should not allow defections to go unchecked.
“I fight corruption in the force, but I see it everywhere in politics. It is like our country doesn’t have laws.”
PKR and DAP have, for the past several months, witnessed defections, including among their MPs and assemblymen.
Last month, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed that five PKR lawmakers were threatened or enticed with rewards to join the Perikatan Nasional government.
The MPs are Natrah Ismail (Sekijang), S. Kesavan (Sg Siput), Awang Husaini Sahari (Putatan), M. Karuppaiya (Padang Serai) and Michael Teo (Miri).
Anwar said he has received multiple complaints from some of his party’s lawmakers regarding the pressure being put on them to jump ship.
The PN government’s actions in allegedly threatening or buying off MPs have nothing to do with politics, but are a form of deception and an abuse of power, he said.
Prior to that, the Pakatan Harapan presidential council slammed PN’s tactic of using enforcement agencies to intimidate opposition MPs into defecting.
“The PH presidential council has been informed of actions by agencies, including MACC, the Inland Revenue Board and police, towards opposition lawmakers, their officers and families.”
The coalition said it understands this has happened repeatedly to pressure MPs into pledging their support for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who has yet to prove he has the majority in Parliament.
“We support actions that are based on the rule of law. But, the abuse of institutions or law enforcement agencies to annoy, pressure or intimidate political enemies is unacceptable.”
MACC has denied allegations that it is being used as a “political weapon”.
“MACC firmly emphasises that it is an independent investigative agency that always ensures its actions are done according to the law, and without political leanings.
“The accusations are unfounded and irresponsible, which may tarnish the reputation of MACC and create a negative perception of the commission.” – The Vibes, May 3, 2021
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