KUALA LUMPUR – Former education minister Maszlee Malik has vehemently denied any corruption allegation against him, describing it as character assassination and mala fide (in bad faith).
He noted that this has come ahead of the impending Johor polls. Maszlee, a PKR member, is the MP for Simpang Renggam in Johor.
He said that he welcomes investigations as he has nothing to hide.
“My life and my struggles have always been on education issues, the future of special needs, the poor, and the welfare of the Simpang Renggam community, and for the integrity of my beloved Malaysia,” he said in a statement today.
Yesterday, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) announced that it has received two complaints against the MP and will be carrying out investigations.
It said that according to the law, it must carry out investigation processes once an official complaint regarding a bribery offence and misuse of funds is received.
On Saturday, Maszlee had claimed that MACC officials intimidated several of his officers at his service centre in Simpang Renggam. He said the officials in question had dropped by the centre and questioned his officers on the activities organised in the constituency.
“The MACC officers were obviously trying to dig for possible mistakes that may be found in my welfare and educational activities in Simpang Renggam,” he said.
He alleged that such actions are related to his support for calls urging the investigation of MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki.
Maszlee, on Saturday, was called in for questioning by police over a demonstration held by PKR-led youth groups to hand over to the government, a memorandum to save MACC following the stock ownership controversy surrounding Azam.
This comes after Malaysiakini reported that MACC sources are claiming that Maszlee is being probed over alleged corruption during his time in cabinet from 2018 to 2020.
“I have read the report dated January 30 pertaining to allegations of corruption involving me, that were raised by certain quarters. I vehemently deny these slanderous allegations.
“I see this as an attempt to assassinate my character ahead of the Johor election and due to my commitment to educational issues,” he said. – The Vibes, January 31, 2022
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