MACC: We're colour blind

By Alang Bendahara

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigated 27 Barisan Nasional (BN) and four Pakatan Rakyat politicians as at June 30 this year.

Its deputy chief commissioner, Datuk Abu Kassim Mohamed, in revealing these details to rebut claims that it was political and racist in its investigations, said of the total, seven were charged and they were Malay BN politicians.

"In terms of racial composition, MACC is colour blind," he said in a chat session with a local daily yesterday. Citing an example, he said, MACC had charged former Labuan member of parliament Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman and were investigating several other policitians in Sabah.

Abu Kassim said MACC even investigated former Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo immediately after receiving a complaint against him.

He said MACC gave priority to all complaints it received regardless of who it implicates.

"All complaints are important regardless whether it is a big fish or a small fish, it does not matter if it is a politician, businessman or a non-governmental organisation personnel.

"Every complaint is a priority. It is our policy that special attention be given to a public interest case by providing more manpower and logistics."

On whether MACC investigates statutory declarations published online, Abu Kassim said: "We will investigate whatever allegations which have an element of corruption".

He said many people would want to see politicians being charged in court but MACC had to base their actions on complaints and evidence.

On Teoh Beng Hock's case, Abu Kassim said the MACC had already taken several steps to ensure there were no similar occurrences in the future.

"We have requested all officers to comply with the standard operating procedure (SOP) for questioning and handling of witnesses.

"Also the issue was not on how we handle the witnesses but on whether things are recorded properly.

"That is why I have immediately directed all MACC offices to have CCTVs and to record the processes so that we have evidence that the proper handling is made and any future complaints can be rebutted by showing the videos."

On whether MACC should interview suspects only during office hours, Abu Kassim said rationally, it should be so but at times, the situation did not permit them to do so.

"Many MACC officers would be very happy if our working hours are from 9am to 5pm, but unfortunately many of our cases occur after office hours.

"For example, law enforcement officers may ask for a bribe at 10pm and be seen by two witnesses. If we leave them and take their statement the next day, they may not come to the office or may have a memory loss after that."

He added that time was of the essence in their investigations especially where there was media coverage and there was a need to secure the evidence immediately.

"The most important thing in interviewing suspects after office hours is to either have their consent or do it at their request and if they are willing to cooperate.

"Also to ensure if the witnesses are alert, we will ask them if they want to continue or not. If they are too tired, they can take a rest or postpone for a while if necessary based on the situation." - NST