theSun | MONDAY AUGUST 17 2009 œ 5

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Don’t be afraid if not guilty: Nazri

‘MACC should continue KUCHING: Don’t be afraid of the preventive meas-
ures and investigations carried out by the MACC if
you want corruption to be tackled more seriously,
says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department
Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.
Pelek constituency.
Nazri said the Opposition wanted to under-
mine the morale of MACC officers by making
various demands, including calling on MACC
director of investigations Datuk Mohd Shukri

probe on politicians’
by Tim Leonard
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption
Commission (MACC) should carry on investigating
politicians despite criticisms, but do so professionally,
says a member of its advisory panel.
“If MACC officers carry out their work based on
transparency, accountability and professionalism, there
should no problems going after politicians, or whoever
they are,” Tan Sri Robert Phang said yesterday.
Phang, who sits on the MACC corruption consultation
and advisory panel, said the entire machinery is in disar-
ray and investigation procedures must be beefed up.
“The fact that there is disarray in the investigation
procedures shows that the mechanism and method-
ology must be oiled.”
He was responding to reports quoting MACC
director of investigations Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdull
as saying it is considering stopping all investigations
involving politicians due to adverse publicity, mockery
and public scorn.
Respect individual’s rights, commission urged
PETALING JAYA: Selangor Mentri said, referring to Friday’s incident
Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim in which state executive councillor
Directing his words at opposition parties, Abdull to quit his post.
Nazri said yesterday the MACC was an inde- On the suggestion for two separate methods
pendent body and acted impartially while it was of MACC investigation for politicians and the
also bound by conditions and regulations when public, Nazri said the country’s laws applied to
conducting its investigations. all regardless of their backgrounds.
“The DAP wants corruption to be eradicated, Comment on the issue, Deputy Prime
and several politicians, including from Barisan Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said, “The
Phang said the MACC should not stop investigat- Nasional, have been investigated. But when their MACC should not differentiate investigations
ing politicians just because of negative publicity. party (DAP) leaders are investigated, they object. on politicians and the common public. The issue
“MACC must not stop. What’s the point of stopping What’s the problem ... afraid?” he asked. is corruption.”
... it defies the purpose of the commission. If you carry He was commenting on the commotion at a Speaking to reports in Kota Kinabalu yester-
out the job professionally, and based on proper proce- DAP service centre when MACC officers wanted day, he said the people, including politicians,
dures, I’m sure there won’t be negative publicity.” to arrest Wong Chuan How, aide to exco mem- should give their cooperation to the MACC to
He said MACC must learn that it will be respected ber Ronnie Liu, over allocations for the Sungai ensure that the legal process runs smoothly.
only if it follows a proper system in investigations.
He also said the MACC lacks mature and experi-
enced officers to carry out investigations, especially
in serious cases.
“I believe the current system is too much for the of-
ficers to cope. There are too many things going on, and
the lack of qualified officers to handle cases can also be
a contributing factor. We need to revamp the system.”
Phang said currently, investigations are carried out
based on the MACC Act which is similar to the CPC
(Criminal Procedure Code). “The officers must follow
investigation procedures as outlined in the CPC. It is
only when you don’t follow that there are bound to
be problems.”
» More report Page 6
MACC. In fact, we don’t stop any-
one from cooperating with MACC.

yesterday urged the Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commission to
respect the rights of individuals
they investigate or interview.
“We hope the MACC can re-
spect the rights of those they are
investigating. It’s not that we do not
want to cooperate with them,” he
Ronnie Liu’s assistant Wong Chuan
How fell and injured himself in a
scuffle with MACC officers.
Wong sustained injuries to his
leg and had to seek treatment at
Serdang Hospital. He subsequently
lodged a police report.
“We are willing to work with the
SHARIL AMIN/THESUN
But please respect the rights of
the person you wish to speak to or
interview,” Khalid said after offici-
ating at the Children’s Leadership
Convention in Sunway.
“It is important that you respect
the individual’s human rights and Khalid receives a token of appreciation from Children’s Leadership Convention co-founder Yeoh Jee
not adopt high-handed tactics.” Lian. They are flanked by project manager Khoo Boo Hank and event host Christopher Chai, six.