MACC under fire over inconsistent stand on DBKL probe into pro-Anwar board member
This is unlike past cases in which the anti-graft body wasted no time to investigate corruption revelations involving similar government agencies.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has come under pressure following its move to allow Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to conduct an internal investigation into a corruption case involving Afdlin Shauki, the actor-director known for his staunch support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The anti-graft agency had previously detained municipal council officers without waiting for such probes.
In July last year, seven enforcement personnel from DBKL were detained to assist in the investigation into a corruption case involving the protection of illegally operating premises.
In 2021, meanwhile, MACC arrested a mayor in Johor who was believed to have accepted bribes from contractors for each project approved by the local authorities.
The following year, it arrested nine individuals including several staff from the Shah Alam City Council to assist in an investigation into a cartel suspected of monopolising project tenders.
Vocal lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla reminded MACC that it was allowed to carry out investigations without waiting for an internal probe.
"Where is the consistency? If, for example, DBKL is allowed to carry out internal investigations first, why is the same not permitted for other agencies and private companies?
"Can Azam Baki shed some light on this?" he said, referring to MACC chief commissioner.
The allegations of Afdlin's involvement in a DBKL project worth millions of ringgit first surfaced on Edisi Siasat, a hugely popular Telegram channel specialised in corruption exposes involving government agencies and people in authority.
The Telegram post alleged that Afdlin had breached procedures in a RM7 million radio station project, before it was axed by Kuala Lumpur mayor Maimunah Mohd Sharif.
It said that the projects were known to Anwar's political secretary Azman Abidin, a claim the latter has denied.
It also said the Sports and Welfare Club under Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan (KSKYWP), a company under the Federal Territories Department of the Prime Minister's Department, had channeled a RM4 million contract from DBKL for the production of creative materials to a company owned by a "crony".
It claimed that the contract for the production of videos for the "Friends of DBKL" TikTok channel did not go through proper tender processes, adding that a prominent podcaster still owed City Hall more than 100 clips.
Afdlin, who was made a DBKL board member not long after Anwar became prime minister, said the claims were an effort by irresponsible parties to tarnish his name.
"Their agenda is driven by misplaced feelings of envy and revenge," he said in a statement.
MACC later said that it would wait for the results of DBKL's internal investigation before launching a probe of its own.
Azam said the case would be referred to it if elements of corruption or abuse of power were found in DBKL's investigation.
When contacted by MalaysiaNow, Azam said MACC integrity officers who had been seconded to DBKL were involved in the probe.
"If elements of corruption or abuse of power are found under the MACC Act 2009, MACC will conduct an investigation," he said.
"I am informed that DBKL is acting on information received, and we do not know the truth of this offence."
Haniff said to let an internal investigation proceed first would jeapordise any subsequent probe by MACC.
"If MACC wants to wait for the internal probe to finish, what proof is there that evidence will not be altered, switched, hidden or falsified?
"This is why I say that its respect for DBKL is misplaced. Is Azam Baki confident enough to guarantee that there will be no disposal of evidence without MACC holding its own investigation now?"
Anti-corruption activist Jais Abdul Karim said the difference in approach could raise questions about MACC's consistency in handling cases involving DBKL.
"It's important to understand the reasoning behind this decision," said Jais, who heads the Malaysia Corruption Watch.
"Perhaps there were factors taken into consideration by MACC in determining whether a case should be investigated internally by DBKL or taken over by MACC.
"In any case, transparency and further clarification from MACC will help reduce confusion and ensure public trust in the integrity of the investigation process."
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