MACC chief urges Wan Saiful to report bribe attempt by March 10

SEREMBAN: Former Bersatu information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan has until Sunday (March 10) to lodge a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) that he was offered RM1.7mil to throw his support behind Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said appropriate action would be taken in the event the Tasek Gelugor MP fails to do so.

“I have checked with the MACC headquarters and our records officer, and as of this moment, he hasn’t lodged any complaint or report.

ALSO READ: I was offered RM1.7mil in allocations to betray PN, says Wan Saiful

“We will wait for him to do so this week, and if he doesn’t, then we will act next week,” he told reporters on Monday (March 4) after witnessing a pledge by Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun and other state assemblymen to remain corruption-free.

Azam said it was Wan Saiful’s responsibility to report the matter as provided under Section 25(1) of the MACC Act 2009, as he was the one who had made the claim in Parliament.

“So rightfully, it is his responsibility to come forward and report the matter to the MACC or the nearest police station.

“It is not our job to go to his house, fetch him and bring him to our office to do so,” he said.

On Feb 28, Wan Jai claimed he had been repeatedly induced to pledge support for the Prime Minister.

He alleged that if he supported Anwar, he would be offered RM1.7mil in parliamentary allocations, among others.

ALSO READ: Azam denies MACC has contacted Wan Saiful

He had also alleged that allocations for government projects could also be distributed to his so-called cronies.

Wan Saiful also claimed that charges against him would be dropped if he pledged support. He is facing money laundering and corruption charges related to the Jana Wibawa project.

He claimed that since he had been contacted many times, he agreed to meet the individuals making the offers at hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya.

Azam refused to say what action would be taken by the MACC in the event Wan Saiful did not come forward.

“For now, I cannot say what action we will take.

“But if he fails to show up, I will instruct my officers to act,” he said.

ALSO READ: MACC is still looking for Muhyiddin’s son-in-law, says Azam

On another matter, Azam said the MACC will contact the Attorney General’s Chambers before deciding whether or not to charge businessman Datuk Seri Muhammad Adlan Berhan, who is still at large, in absentia.

Muhammad Adlan is the son-in-law of former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.,

On Feb 22, Azam said several criminal breach of trust (CBT) charges had been prepared against Muhammad Adlan.

“As I mentioned previously, we have not been able to locate him, and we have no knowledge of his whereabouts.

“We have also not discussed with the AG’s office if he should be charged in absentia.

“Our (preferred) option is to charge an individual (who is) physically present in court,” he said, adding that the decision to charge Muhammad Adlan in absentia would only be made when the time comes.

Separately, Azam said the MACC has not received any report of alleged wrongdoing or power abuse by Aminuddin or members of his administration since they were sworn in after the last state election.