‘Impartial probe needed to restore MACC integrity’

PETALING JAYA: The credibility of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has come into question and activists say only investigations by a neutral party will help to restore its image.

They said investigations should be conducted by the police and Bank Negara instead of the commission carrying out an internal inquiry.

Social activist Tan Sri Robert Phang said there are questions that the MACC needs to answer.

He told theSun that the commission will have to explain how millions in cash that was to be presented as evidence in a corruption case could go missing.

“It is an insult to the whole system that has been set up to fight corruption.”

Phang was commenting on the arrest of three MACC officers on suspicion of stealing a portion of US$6 million (RM25 million) that had been seized from Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation former director-general Datuk Hasanah Abdul Hamid.

The money was to have been presented as evidence in a corruption case against Hasanah but it was later revealed that a portion of the cash had been removed and replaced with a similar amount in counterfeit US currency.

Phang said the MACC would have to explain how this could have occurred at its headquarters.

“There are many questions that have to be answered. How could law enforcement officers replace real money with counterfeit ones? How did they get the counterfeit? Who helped them?”

Phang said the MACC would have to explain how officers whose duty is to fight corruption can engage in corrupt practices in the first place.

He said MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki must quickly come up with a strategy to prevent such incidents from recurring.

He said the MACC should also not wait too long to take the errant officers to court.

Phang also expressed concern that the MACC might decide to hold an in-house inquiry rather than an open investigation, saying that such a move would not sit well with the people.

“We should have a neutral body, like the police, conduct the investigations. It does not matter who is implicated as long as the truth is revealed.”

He said Bank Negara should also be involved in the investigations, given that counterfeit currency would hurt the economy.

Asia Strategy and Leadership Institute Centre for Public Policy Studies chairman Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said a full explanation is essential to enable the MACC to regain public trust.

“The incident has certainly created a bad impression of the graft body, and the action of replacing real money with counterfeit notes must be condemned, given that it reduces public trust in the commission.”

Ramon said that if the MACC is serious about regaining public trust, it must show that action is being taken and that the officers involved must be charged in court.

He said the incident could also deter some people from coming forward to report corrupt practices for fear of being exposed by dishonest MACC officers.

Ramon said the incident has also given the people the impression that the authorities condone corruption and that they lack the will to act.

“One major concern is that it could discourage foreign investors from coming to Malaysia. If the graft busters themselves are involved in corrupt practices, how can they protect investors from unscrupulous people?

“The government must show that it will not tolerate any kind of corrupt practice by taking quick action against those involved.”

Source :https://ipaper.thesundaily.my/epaper/viewer.aspx?publication=The%20Sun%20Daily#page/2

Give missing funds probe top priority - Robert Phang

Prominent social activist Tan Sri Robert Phang (pix) wants the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the police to accord top priority to investigations into the millions in US dollars cash that were found missing last month while in the custody of the MACC.

The money was seized by the anti-graft agency in the course of investigations into the money laundering and criminal breach of trust case allegedly involving the former Director of the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation (MEIO), Datuk Hasanah Abdul Hamid.

She was later given a discharge not amounting to acquittal by the court.

The media reported that both the MACC and the police are conducting investigations into the missing funds and the three were expected to be charged under the MACC and Police Acts.

The police were also reported to be probing one of the three officers for illegal possession of drugs and firearms.

“Members of the public were shocked when this case was exposed in the media two weeks ago. I urge the MACC particularly to give its utmost priority on its investigations into this case as it is the most serious act of breach of public trust by MACC officers,“ Phang said in a statement today.

Phang pointed out that he could well understand the strong public reaction to this case of missing millions because they look at an entity like the MACC as the last bastion of hope in the fight against corruption which is fast becoming another pandemic in the nation.

He also called on the MACC to exercise due diligence and transparency in its internal investigation involving its own officers, as well as without fear or favour.

“Once sufficient evidence is uncovered for a prima facie case, the MACC should charge the three officers without any delay,” he added.

Source : https://www.thesundaily.my/local/give-missing-funds-probe-top-priority-robert-phang-CY8450105

Give Utmost Priority to Missing Funds Probe

11^th October 2021.
PRESS STATEMENT BY:-
TAN SRI DATUK ROBERT PHANG MIOW SIN.
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
CHAIRMAN – SOCIAL CARE FOUNDATION

 

 Give Utmost Priority to Missing Funds Probe

Just over two weeks ago, members of the public were shocked by a news report exposed in the social media of the arrest of three officers of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in connection with millions in US Dollars cash that were found missing while in the custody of the MACC.

The money was seized by the MACC in the course of investigations in the money laundering and criminal breach of trust case allegedly involving the former Director of the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation (MEI0) Datuk Hasanah Abdul Hamid.

She was later given a discharge not amounting to aquittal by the court.

The media reported that both the MACC and the police are conducting investigations into the missing funds and the three were expected to be charged under the MACC and police Acts.

The police were also reported to be probing one of the three officers for illegal possession of drugs and firearms.

I urge the MACC particularly to give its utmost priority on its investigations into this case as it is the most serious act of breach of public trust by MACC officers.

I can well understand the strong public reaction to this case because we all look at an entity like the MACC as out last bastion of hope in the fight against corruption which is fast becoming another pandemic in the nation.

I also call on the MACC and PDRM to exercise due diligence and transparency in this internal investigation, this time involving MACC officers, and once sufficient evidence is uncovered for a prima facie case, please charge the three (3) officers with legal action without fear or favor.

 

“HUMBLENESS IS A GOOD VIRTUE, ARROGANCE SHALL FALL AND THE MEEK WILL RULE THE WORLD”.

Tan Sri Datuk Robert Phang Miow Sin.
Justice of the Peace.        

 

‘Huge budget a breeding ground for corruption’

 RM400 billion allocation on mega projects untimely as people still suffering from Covid-19 pandemic: Activist

PETALING JAYA: Prominent social activist Tan Sri Robert Phang (pix) has warned of the effects of further worsening the level of corruption in the country with the massive budget allocated for the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob last week unveiled the five-year Plan in the Dewan Rakyat that will cost RM400 billion, the largest ever to be implemented.

“It is my deep concern that with hundreds of billions to be spent on huge projects it will become fertile breeding grounds for corruption in the country. In fact, corruption in Malaysia can be considered another emerging pandemic,” said Phang.

The chairman of the Social Care Foundation said the 12MP budget was huge by any standard and “everyone is asking whether, under the current circumstances, can we afford it?”.

This was in light of Malysia’s already ballooning and seemingly uncontrollable foreign debts.

“In this regard, I would urge the government to do away with undertaking prestigious projects or procurements to bring the expenditures to a more manageable level. The country and the rakyat are much better off without such costly projects. 

“Covid-19 has made the country and the rakyat so much poorer. In this regard, I call on the government to spend prudently because it is obvious that the nation can no longer afford to spend beyond its means,” said Phang.

He added that it did not help ensure public and investor confidence when the prime minister also revealed in Parliament last week that the PM’s official residence, Seri Perdana, was undergoing renovations to the tune of RM38 million.

According to the prime minister, the renovations were necessary to “ensure safety as well as to preserve the country’s image during visits by key dignitaries”.

Phang said it was not only the timing of such extravagance that was highly questionable but more so the amount when millions among the rakyat were suffering with tens of thousands having lost their income amid massive business closures.

“I fully agree with former minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, that the nation’s image rests with the occupants of Seri Perdana and not the RM38 million renovations. And that it’s a complete waste of public funds,” he added.

Source : https://ipaper.thesundaily.my/epaper/viewer.aspx?publication=The%20Sun%20Daily&date=05_10_2021#page/4