Was it because of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) director-general Ahmad Said Hamdan’s controversial statement regarding the “car and cows” issues previously that the commission is now reviewing its policy to give media statements?

It seems likely to be the case even though the MACC has not mentioned its reasons to do so. The commission is now reviewing the policy on cases which are yet to be referred to the commission’s deputy public prosecutor.

In a statement reported in Bernama today, the MACC said the move was taken following the advice of the commission's advisory board, which is chaired by former chief justice Abdul Hamid Mohamed.

The MACC said that the board had a meeting yesterday and discussed, among other things, the media statements made by the MACC on cases which are still pending decisions.

“The advisory board took note that such a statement is not against the law, devoid of ill intention and made to ensure transparency on the part of the MACC in carrying out its investigation,” it said.

The board, however, was of the opinion that media statements on cases which were yet to be decided, would give rise to all manner of interpretations and polemics among certain quarters to the extent of jeopardising MACC’s credibility.

Statements sparked uproar

On Feb 20, Ahmad Said had made a startling revelation saying that MACC had enough evidence to charge Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim in connection with the allegations of abuse of power in the maintenance of a luxury car and purchase of sacrificial cows.

karpal singh ahmad said hamdan macc 210209 The statements had sparked uproar especially among the Opposition, with DAP stalwart Karpal Singh accusing Ahmad Said of violating the rule of law by issuing public prejudgement.

He later demanded the MACC chief publicly clarify the basis on which such public disclosure on the findings of a graft investigation were released before prosecution was even instituted.

This was echoed by another DAP leader Gobind Singh Deo, who is also Karpal’s son, saying that the commission does not give any power to its chief to comment publicly on investigations and prosecutions, but only empowers the commission head to disclose reports relating to the commission of offences.

However, all of this was brushed aside by the commission’s deputy chief commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamed claiming that his boss had done nothing wrong and had acted within the law , according to section 29(4) of the MACC Act.

Section 29(4) of the MACC Act states that any officer with the rank of commissioner is allowed to make open statements about an investigation. This qualifies Ahmad Said’s comments last week, given his position as chief commissioner.