Malaysia

‘How can MACC let Ahmad Maslan get away with providing false info during probe?’

It seems the ones required to have integrity have integrity problems themselves, says Mohamed Hanipa Maidin

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 30 Sep 2021 8:47PM

‘How can MACC let Ahmad Maslan get away with providing false info during probe?’ — Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan paid a RM1.1 million compound to settle his money-laundering trial, which he says was taking too long. – The Vibes file pic, September 30, 2021

by Arjun Mohanakrishnan

KUALA LUMPUR – Mohamed Hanipa Maidin (Sepang-PH) is questioning the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) leniency towards Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (Pontian-BN) for falsifying information to authorities during investigations.

While debating the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) in the Dewan Rakyat today, Hanipa touched on the issue of integrity, pointing towards Malaysia’s fall to 57th place in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI).

He said, under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration, Malaysia saw improvement in the CPI rankings due to the prosecution of high-profile corruption cases involving politicians.

“There’s Pontian’s case; he was only compounded RM1.1 million.

“I don’t question the prosecutor’s discretion, but Pontian was accused of giving false information to the MACC, so why was he released?” Hanipa asked.

Sepang MP Mohamed Hanipa Maidin says the MACC is an integral law enforcement agency and thus, it is crucial for it to protect its integrity. – Bernama pic, September 30, 2021

The Sepang MP pointed out that the MACC is an integral law enforcement agency and thus, it is crucial for it to protect its integrity.

He added that the MACC may have jeopardised its own integrity by allowing the Pontian lawmaker to get away with providing false information to the MACC during the course of investigations.

“Those who rear goats would appoint someone to protect their flock from wolves. But what happens if the one appointed is a wolf?

“It seems the ones who are required to have integrity, have integrity problems,” Hanipa added.

Earlier today, Ahmad said in Parliament that he decided to pay the RM1.1 million compound because his money-laundering trial was taking too long.

The Umno MP told the Dewan Rakyat today that he was initially offered the compound deal in October 2019, but decided to take the matter to court then.

He said he felt at the time that there was injustice against some individuals who had also received funds linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd, and that these people assumed that the monies were from the usual forms of political funding for Umno.

Ahmad was initially charged with committing offences under Sections 4(1) and Section 32(8)(c) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 for money laundering and falsifying information to authorities on January 20 last year.

However, prosecutors dropped both charges after paying a RM1.1 million compound. – The Vibes, September 30, 2021