Shafie addressing members at the Parit Sulong Umno meeting
PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal has criticised the sudden transfers of two Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) directors, saying that the Government and Umno risk losing more support from the people.
The Umno vice-president, who was dropped from the Cabinet two weeks ago, said the transfers raised suspicions as the duo were in the midst of carrying out their investigations on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
“Why of a sudden two MACC officers were transferred out when the 1MDB investigation is ongoing?
"Can’t they wait until the investigation is over? Doesn’t the government want the truth to prevail?” Shafie said in a statement on Sunday.
He said these unanswered and unexplained questions would further diminish the public’s confidence in the government.
On Friday, MACC special operations director Datuk Bahri Mohamad Zin and strategic communications director Datuk Rohaizad Yaakob were transferred to the Prime Minister’s Department with immediate effect.
“The move to transfer the two MACC officers to the Prime Minister’s Department is giving a negative public perception to the Government that practises transparency and integrity,” said Shafie.
Shafie, dropped as Rural and Regional Development Minister in the Cabinet reshuffle on July 28, said MACC should be given the freedom to carry out its tasks as an independent body.
“Therefore, the Government needs to give a rational and transparent explanation on the transfers to the public,” he said.
“If this fails, I’m worried that the Government will struggle to bring back the people’s trust, and eventually will lose power in the near future,” he said.
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