MACC to summon four Perikatan MPs who pledged support for PM, says Azam

JAKARTA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will summon the four Perikatan Nasional Members of Parliament who pledged their support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim soon.

MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said it was to investigate allegations of corruption to the switching of support.

“We are waiting for the report (from the police)…an open investigation will be carried out soon,” he told reporters after delivering a keynote address at the World Anti-Corruption Conference 2023 here on Thursday (Nov 16).

He said the police report against the MPs was lodged last Monday (Nov 13), adding that the police had referred the matter to MACC for further investigation due to the elements of corruption.

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Last Tuesday (Nov 14), Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said police and MACC were ready to conduct a professional investigation into reports alleging the presence of enticement, bribes and threats related to the support of several Perikatan MPs for the Prime Minister.

Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang) and Zahari Kechik (Jeli) had previously expressed their position to support Anwar.

Meanwhile, Azam said MACC would reveal the interim report regarding the investigation into Aman Palestin Bhd, which was alleged to have irregularities in its fundraising activities for the Palestinian people.

“Give time to MACC to investigate and next week an interim report will be issued because it is important for the public to know,” he said.

According to him, seven witnesses have been summoned to provide statements and MACC forensic officers were examining documents obtained from Aman Palestin Bhd from 2020 to 2022.

ALSO READ: Another Bersatu MP now supports PM, bringing number to four

When asked about the allegations that MACC was being controlled by the government, Azam said the accusations were baseless.

“The case involving Syed Saddiq (Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, Muar MP) is still in the appeal stage, no one can dispute.

“There are times when MACC loses in court, but no one says about anyone influencing the court,” he said.

On Wednesday (Nov 15), MACC lodged a police report over a video posted on social media allegedly containing false allegations made by a politician at the launch of the party’s machinery for the Kemaman parliamentary by-election on Nov 10.

The video, posted on a TikTok account belonging to @wancin11 showed Terengganu Bersatu chief Datuk Razali Idris accused the government machinery, MACC and judges of being controlled by the government.

He also questioned the decision of the High Court to convict former Youth and Sports Minister (Syed Saddiq) of four charges of abetting in criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of property and money laundering in connection to Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (Armada) funds. – BK