Sensitive details of MACC probes are closely guarded, Dewan Rakyat told

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will always ensure that sensitive details of ongoing investigations are protected even though some information gets leaked to the media occasionally, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

According to Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, just because some media reports quoted “sources” regarding certain investigations, this did not mean the information published was obtained illegally.

“In all MACC investigations, many parties will be involved in various capacities such as suspects, witnesses, the courts, lawyers and reporters,” the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) said in a parliamentary written reply on Monday (March 11).

“MACC investigations at certain premises are also often a matter of public interest… The various parties concerned also have knowledge related to the investigation.

“As such, it is quite difficult to (identify) or accuse any party (over) disclosure of information relating to an investigation.

“MACC officers will definitely (keep a lid on such) information to prevent it from being exposed… and potentially affecting the ongoing investigation,” she added.

Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan (PN-Tasek Gelugor) had asked about the government’s plan to address information leakage from the MACC to the media, saying such incidents raised concerns about the integrity of the anti-graft agency.

Wan Saiful also asked if any police report had been lodged over such news articles.

Azalina said no reports had been lodged as the claims in the articles were “too general”.

“For your information, the MACC is ready to investigate… if there is any officer who leaks information to the media or any party.

“Non-criminal misconduct cases against MACC officers will be referred to the Complaints Committee established under Section 15 of the MACC Act 2009.

“Officers involved in criminal cases will be reported to the police.

“Meanwhile, cases related to corruption, abuse of power and malfeasance will be investigated by MACC itself because they are under its jurisdiction,” Azalina added.