The government today defended the Anti-Corruption Agency's prolonged investigation into the Perwaja Steel scandal which began six years ago.

Parliamentary Secretary in the Prime Minister's Department Noh Omar said the agency would continue to seek evidence pertaining to the case which involves billions of ringgit.

He said that last year ACA solicited the cooperation of Swiss authorities to reveal the bank accounts, allegedly containing the monies siphoned from the steel giant.

However, Noh said the evidence gathered was not sufficient thus the corruption watchdog has to sniff out more proof.

The parliamentary secretary said this in Parliament today when tabling the Mutual Assistance for Criminal Justice Bill 2002.

The Bill is part of the government's effort to enhance the dispensing of justice relating to international crime as criminals have managed to evade arrest due to incomplete evidence, which could be provided by other countries.

"It is true that before May, the (Perwaja) investigation was not successful. We only managed to gather some evidence in October last year.

"Their [Swiss authorities] cooperation was crucial although they did not have all the proof. We still need to look for more evidence," he said.

ACA began its investigation into Perwaja in 1996 following allegations of graft after the company reportedly suffered an accumulated loss of RM2.985 billion, including bank loans amounting to about RM7 billion.

In 2000, the then director of ACA Mohd Zaki Hussein announced that the agency had made a breakthrough in its investigations.

However, Zaki's contract was not renewed and the ACA has since been mum on the status of the investigation.

PM defended

Meanwhile, Noh also defended Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's statement made in London in February that the Perwaja culprits could not be booked because the Swiss government refused to cooperate with the ACA.

This charge was subsequently denied by the Swiss authorities.

"The prime minister's statement cannot be considered doubtful and he has not interfered with the investigation," said Noh.

"No one, including Mahathir, has interfered with the investigation. Action will be taken against those who are guilty if there is enough proof," he stressed.

At this juncture, Husam Musa (PAS-Kubang Kerian) interrupted and asked why the Swiss banks' accounts purportedly housing the Perwaja loot, were not frozen.

The opposition MP enquired if the government could apply for the freezing of these accounts and also asked what further evidence was needed by the ACA.

Noh replied, "That is why we are introducing this bill (Mutual Assistance for Criminal Justice Bill 2002).

"In the past, we cannot ask the Swiss authorities to do it as there are no provisions in

law to do so," he said.

The Dewan Rakyat ended its first sitting for the year today. It will resume sitting in June.