Monday, June 21st, 2010 13:05:00
KUALA LUMPUR: The acquittal of Federal Territory Umno Youth chief Datuk Mohamad Norza Zakaria of two corruption charges had arguably affected the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) reputation, as the prosecution declined to proceed with the case because statements by witnesses' contradicted with the ones given to the anti-graft body.
Commenting on the Temerloh Court decision, Norza’s counsel, Datuk Shafee Abdullah in a statement said:
“If witnesses decide to expand or vary their testimony from their statements to MACC, then one needs to inquire the MACC's method of interrogation. Why are so many of these witnesses complaining about the MACC investigation methods? Can all of them be wrong?”Still, prior to the court’s decision, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Corruption's chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad had, on June 9, announced the committee would propose to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to give prosecution powers to the MACC's chief commissioner.This is in wake of the failure by MACC to prosecute other cases, such as the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal, and alleged corruption by the former and current Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo and Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, respectively. The Malay Mail contacted several MACC advisory members, politicians of both divides and representatives of non-governmental organisations for their views on whether MACC should have the power to prosecute.
● MACC's Consultative and Anti-Corruption panelist Tan Sri Robert Phang:
"I favour prosecution powers be given to MACC as it would complement their investigations. Should they be vested with such powers, they could to take the necessary action to eradicate corruption. I would like to appeal to the Prime Minister to seriously consider the proposal as we support efforts to enhance MACC's performance for better results."
Source : http://www.mmail.com.my/content/40618-views-are-divided-over-possible-macc-prosecution-powers
No comments:
Post a Comment