KUCHING, Jan 8: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will step up its enforcement on graft in Sarawak and will not turn a blind eye, especially on cases involving high-profile personalities.
According to the state Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Chong Chieng Jen, MACC had given its assurance that it would strengthen efforts to combat corruption, including reviewing reports made before the change of government after GE14 last year.
The Stampin MP spoke with MACC Investigation senior deputy commissioner Datuk Izani Wan Ishak yesterday, who enquired about Chong’s recent outburst in calling for the removal of Sarawak MACC’s top officers.
Chong had told a press conference in Sibu last Sunday that the head of MACC Sarawak and several of its top officers ought to be changed over their alleged failure to tackle corruption in the state.
“It was a good meeting, wherein I brought to the attention of MACC the concern of many Sarawakians that the state MACC has not been proactive and aggressive in combating corruption in Sarawak, especially those involving high-profile personalities,” Chong, who is also state DAP chairman, said in a statement.
Meanwhile, commenting on what Chong said in Sibu, MACC deputy chief commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki said the agency would not bow to political pressure in the course of carrying out its duties.
He described Chong’s outburst as a “personal” opinion while pointing out that not all reports lodged with MACC required investigation, as there were no elements of corruption.
Azam gave assurance that all reports lodged with the commission would be scrutinised and studied before a decision is made to open an investigation file. — DayakDaily
