Allegations of ‘Corporate Mafia’, MACC Cannot Investigate Alone, Needs RCI Agency – Gobind

Allegations of ‘Corporate Mafia’, MACC Cannot Investigate Alone, Needs RCI Agency – Gobind

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 25 (Bernama) — DAP continues to call for the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the alleged involvement of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in the ‘corporate mafia’, recently.

DAP national chairman Gobind Singh Deo said in a statement that although MACC denied the allegations, which it deemed baseless, stemming from an online blog that did not include the name of its owner, denial alone was not enough considering the seriousness of the allegations.

“While the MACC denies the allegations as baseless and originating from an anonymous blog, and they are entitled to do so, mere denial on their part is not enough. A basic principle of justice is that no one should be the judge in his own case.

“When the integrity of our main anti-corruption institution is questioned, denial alone is not enough. Denial alone will not be able to restore public or investor confidence,” he said.

Gobind, who is also the Digital Minister, said the DAP believes the allegations have sufficient basis to initiate an investigation, thereby justifying the formation of the RCI as it will be equipped with the necessary legal powers to conduct a proper investigation.

Gobind said the allegations had received widespread attention at home and abroad and required immediate firm action.

“This is not to find fault or blame anyone, but to demonstrate that MACC remains free from any suspicions and allegations that affect its integrity or credibility.

“This is also not intended to weaken the MACC but instead strengthen it, showing that all institutions that are given investigative and law enforcement authority in this country are always subject to investigation and law enforcement,” he said.

The ‘corporate mafia’ allegations revolve around allegations that senior MACC officials orchestrated a campaign of intimidation, pressuring executives and shareholders of public companies to resign or sell their shares at deep discounts to a network of connected businessmen.

MACC in its statement yesterday denied these allegations and described them as an attempt to tarnish the credibility of investigations and law enforcement actions against certain parties in the corporate sector.

The anti-corruption agency stressed that the allegations were baseless and believed to originate from an online blog that had no clear owner, author or accountability.

The government has set up a special investigation committee headed by Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar to investigate the allegations, including those involving MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.