Abuse of power if PM pressures MACC on Sabah graft scandal: PKR leader

Sabah PKR today reminded that any attempts by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to pressure MACC into expediting a probe on the state’s recent corruption scandal is also tantamount to abuse of power.

Sabah PKR information chief Razeef Rakimin said there are parties urging Anwar to pressure MACC into initiating arrests on the case exposed by a whistleblower who also admitted to bribing eight Sabah state assemblypersons.

“For your information, not only is obstructing investigations an offence but to use the powers of the prime minister to pressure MACC into probing certain individuals is also a form of intervention and abuse of power.

“Therefore, it is better for us to give room for MACC to freely investigate without any intervention and ensure that good governance within the agency is not compromised,” said Razeef (above) during a press conference in Kota Kinabalu, after a Sabah PKR leadership council meeting today.

The PKR deputy information chief said Sabah PKR will also lodge a police report against parties on social media who purportedly accused Anwar of attempts to “cover-up” the graft allegations against GRS assemblypersons.

READ MORE: Sabah reps' alleged corruption videos: What has happened so far

Razeef said Sabah PKR had identified several TikTok and Facebook accounts that shared the claims against Anwar.

“The ones sharing slander claimed Anwar is protecting the assemblypersons accused of graft and abuse of power because of discussions to get more seats for Harapan to contest in the next state election.

“This is clearly slander and has malicious intents against the prime minister, who is known for going against corruption and abuse of power,” he said.

Since the series of video exposures, Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor has also been dragged into the scandal.

The whistleblower is a businessperson who has since admitted to also being the person who gave the alleged bribes to the politicians.

He has been seeking whistleblower protection from the MACC and has also appealed to Anwar and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

However, the prime minister reiterated that those involved in corruption as well are not entitled to protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act. The MACC also stated that protection could not be given until a report was lodged.

On Nov 17, the MACC said it had received a report on the whistleblower, and that its investigation thus far does implicate assemblypersons in corruption.

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