PUTRAJAYA – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is investigating allegations of graft involving the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) projects approved during the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) administration.
This was confirmed by MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, who said probes into the two major infrastructure projects have been ongoing since March.
“The scope of investigation is focused on corruption, whereby bribes were being paid to certain parties. As of today, we have already initiated two investigation papers,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a media programme organised by MACC here today.
Azam was asked to comment on a report by a media agency that French authorities are probing into allegations of fraud and bribery linked to the MRT, with the scandal supposedly revolving around its Putrajaya Line.
The line, which is also known as MRT2, was approved in 2015, when Datuk Seri Najib Razak was prime minister.
The report alleged that a list of prominent names have been mentioned in the investigation in Paris, including an aide to a former prime minister and a member of the royal household.
According to Azam, French authorities have reached out to Malaysia, via the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), for mutual legal assistance.
He said French authorities are investigating interested parties from both Malaysia and France on possible foreign corrupt practices by public officials.
“The case, as reported, is on issues involving the MRT and LRT projects previously, not now,” he said.
“I can’t reveal the names of those involved, but we are reviewing their (French) request for our assistance. It must be reminded that any assistance from our side will be done through the AGC.”
Azam added that discussions are currently ongoing between the MACC and AGC on what information Malaysia will be furnishing to its France counterpart.
“Not every request we must fulfil. What we can help, we will. In the same regard, I hope whatever request we have made to France, they will also assist us.” – The Vibes, June 2, 2022
