On 9 Nov 2023, after an emergency party supreme council meeting at Perikatan Nasional (PN) headquarters, PN Chairman and also President of Bersatu, Tan Sri Muhyiddin was quoted to have reportedly said PN believe a number of MACC officers are involved in the 4 Bersatu MPs declaring their support for the unity government and PM10 over the past month.
For the record, Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid on 12 Oct 2023, Labuan MP Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman on 3 Oct 2023, Gua Musang MP Mohd Azizi Abu Naim on 7 Nov 2023 and Jeli MP Zahari Kechik on 8 Nov 2023 publicly declared their support for the unity government and PM10 over the past month.
The PN chairman claimed that elements of corruption had been used to sway the 4 Bersatu MPs.
Separately and prior to this allegation, the Chief Commissioner has on several occasions confirmed publicly that MACC is an independent institution and they are able to investigate anyone regardless of their position.
The Chief Commissioner even said that unlike other anti-corruption bodies around the world, the MACC has no obligation to ask for permission before investigating, and can initiate a probe at any time.
On 22 Oct 2023, the Chief Commissioner again reaffirmed that MACC remained independent and did not succumb to any pressure or selective investigation.
On 9 Nov 2023, the President of Bersatu made a really very serious allegation casting aspersion on the integrity, independence and impartiality of a number of MACC officers that allegedly were involved in 4 Bersatu MP openly voicing their support towards PM10 and the institution they served.
And he is not some ordinary rakyat or just the President of a political party.
He was the 8th Prime Minister of this country, who not only appointed the current Chief Commissioner but also has direct purview of MACC during his tenurer as the 8th PM.
The ordinary rakyat now urged the President of Bersatu, Tan Sri Muhyiddin to reveal the names of the MACC officers he alleged publicly, upon which the Chief Commissioner of MACC either suspend or remove these officers from active duty pending a thorough investigation into the allegation by the complaints committee or any of the 5 independent panels in MACC.
On 8 Jan 2022, the Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya, Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Seri Norazlan Mohd Razali and Deputy Chief Commissioner (Management and Professionalism) Datuk Junipah Wandi signed a `Memorandum of Support to Azam Baki', stating that the MACC community remain united in defending the institution of the Chief Commissioner and the agency to prevent the continuation of corruption in this beloved country in response to allegations which the above individuals claimed are motivated by the politics of revenge, to tarnish the image and credibility of the MACC.
Isn’t it appropriate for the Chief Commissioner to respond to the allegations raised by the President of Bersatu and former Prime Minister and issue a statement of support towards his officers, if he is of the views and the belief that the allegations were solely attempts made to tarnish their reputation and MACC just like how they responded publicly for him in Jan 2022?
Nowadays, the ordinary rakyat are well informed through the media, mainstream and social media about types, levels and the location of corruption but have few examples of reported cases where perpetrators are sent to jail.
A country’s national institution does not work in isolation.
Those that do will fail.
A transparent system must possess checks and balances that are designed to achieve a balance between independence and accountability.
A show of public support increases degrees of accountability that could gain public trust and will make it difficult for a well-placed politician to distort the system.
What are the President of Bersatu and former Prime Minister and the Chief Commissioner waiting for?
The President of Bersatu and former Prime Minister has a moral responsibility towards the country in eradicating corruption and hopefully, he does not abdicate from fulfilling it.
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