MACC can probe alleged graft with own report: Zaid

The MACC could commence an investigation into an alleged corruption scandal involving several politicians by filing its own first information report, said former law minister Zaid Ibrahim.

He said this in regard to the explosive allegation made by a whistleblower who accused several assemblypersons of an unnamed state of being involved in bribery over a project.

“In the first place, in an investigative body like the police and MACC, the first information report, which is essential to commence an investigation can be done by an officer of that body.

“MACC officers can lodge a first information report on this scam and that will enable them to commence an investigation.

“You don’t even need the Whistleblowers (Protection) Act (2010). Why don’t they do it?” he said in a podcast today.

Earlier today, the whistleblower in possession of evidence of the alleged corruption involving politicians sent an official letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim requesting to be granted protection before lodging an MACC report.

The letter, a copy of which was furnished to Malaysiakini, claimed that apart from the eight assemblypersons, the state’s “top leader” (pemimpin tertinggi) was also involved in the matter.

This comes after MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said on Saturday that his agency could not provide a written guarantee that the whistleblower would not be investigated or prosecuted.

Azam stressed that the law states that when the individual provides the information to the authorities, he is protected under the law but this can be revoked if he or she is found to be involved in the offence.

Just provide immunity

Unimpressed, Zaid urged the MACC to guarantee that the whistleblower’s immunity would not be revoked if they decided to spill the beans.

“The whistleblower may have regretted it… seeking redemption. Allow him to give evidence to prosecute other crooks.

“MACC must come forward and say, we will not revoke immunity if you tell us the story,” the former Kota Bharu MP stressed.

Zaid then called upon the government to amend the Whistleblower Protection Act to encourage people to come forward to the authorities if they suspect wrongdoing.

“Unfortunately, our Act is flawed because it says the immunity can be revoked if the person is part of the corrupt practice.

“You have to be part of the scam to know what is happening. So, our laws have to be changed. You should encourage people to come forward,” he added.

Double standards?

Echoing Zaid’s sentiments, Pejuang information chief Rafique Rashid Ali urged the MACC to act instead of waiting for a report to be lodged.

“Section 29 (of the MACC Act) states that if the report is made verbally, a MACC officer can write it down.

“In fact, the same section indicates that if the MACC suspects wrongdoing, they can launch a probe on their own accord,” he said.

Rafique then compared MACC’s latest response to the cases involving former finance minister Dain Zainuddin and his family, and ex-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s children.

“The MACC was very committed to Daim’s family’s case. A building got seized and Daim even had to attend court proceedings in a wheelchair.

“And almost every month, there will be an update on Mahathir’s children’s issue.

“But when it comes to this, when there are live recordings, why wait?” he asked.

Whistleblower sends letter to PM, implicates state's 'top leader'

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