Khairy: Asking PM to explain donation shows MACC transparent

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is carrying out its job with transparency, without fear or favour, said Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said this could be seen when MACC asked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to explain the RM2.6bil donation from a Middle East donor that was deposited into Najib's bank account.

Khairy said an explanation by Najib would lend credence to the investigation, adding that investigations must continue until the people are convinced of what happened.

"If the investigation needs a statement by the Prime Minister to make it more complete and thorough then this only proves that the MACC is doing its investigation without fear or favour.

"It shows that the MACC is transparent and that we have nothing to hide," Khairy told reporters after chairing the Barisan Nasional youth meeting here on Thursday.

The MACC reportedly said it would ask Najib to shed light on the donation said to have come from a Middle East donor. The commission also said the RM2.6bil was not from 1MDB.

Khairy said the MACC's credibility was imperative so that any announcement on its investigation would receive public support.

On the Opposition leaders visit to the MACC office to voice their support for the commission in handling the 1MDB probe, Khairy said there was a time when the Opposition questioned MACC's credibility.

"It may be their political intention but this shows MACC has its own credibility as an independent body," he added. 

Khairy also called on Umno members to respect Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, who were dropped from the Cabinet last week.

"I think it is unwise to do that. After the Cabinet reshuffle, Muhyiddin's position as deputy party president must continue to be respected," Khairy said of calls for Muhyiddin to resign as Umno number two.

"It is the same with Shafie. He is still a vice-president. Any action to 'attack' them is unwise and we must reject that," Khairy said adding that it did not reflect the party's culture.

Khairy said Umno was facing challenges and members should not allow any cracks to form that threatened party unity.