KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has launched a probe into a letter of oath purportedly obliging Umno members to support Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as prime minister.
According to The Star, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki had confirmed that the agency had received reports on the alleged document.
“We have received complaints on the said letter and allegations,” Azam was quoted as saying, adding that the matter was being investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act for abuse of power.
“MACC will open investigation papers so that the matter can be looked into.”
Azam also said certain individuals may be roped in by the agency for questioning.
“Let my officers decide on who to call. They will do so after looking at documents that have been surrendered to them.”
Yesterday, the leaked statement made its rounds on social media, calling for Umno candidates for the 15th general election (GE15) to support the party president as the prime ministerial candidate.
They must also push the new government to drop court cases involving Umno and BN leaders, as well as any ongoing investigations that involve them.
Zahid is among the party’s leaders who have ongoing corruption cases.
The document is a “surat aku janji”, or oath declaration bearing Umno’s letterhead, signed by the candidate as well as Zahid and Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
The leaked document bears Lenggong candidate Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah’s name and his signature. Shamsul is also the Barisan Nasional communications director.
The BN Comms Facebook page, however, has denied the document and called it a fake.
The document also states that the candidate must support any action by Zahid as Umno president and BN chairman to hold post-election talks with parties or political coalitions, in the event BN fails to win enough seats to form a government.
Dated October 30, a day before BN announced its candidates for GE15, the document also requires the candidate to support Zahid in deciding key cabinet posts for Umno and BN MPs, as well as positions in government agencies and government-linked companies.
The candidate is required to push the new government comprising BN and other parties to ensure that these decisions by Zahid are adhered to.
Regarding the court cases involving Umno and BN leaders, the candidate must urge the new government to drop and “settle” them, and also drop all investigations involving the leaders. – The Vibes, November 3, 2022
