Probe govt officials into luxury sports, MACC urged

MALACCA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should not just target high-ranking civil servants who play golf overseas but should also probe those into expensive extreme sports abroad, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron.

He said playing golf should not be the only barometer for the MACC to suspect key go­­vernment officials of being involved in graft.

“There are many jet-setting civil servants involved in extreme sports that are costly and considered trendy.

“MACC should also put civil servants taking part in skiing, skydiving, scuba diving and motocross on its radar,” he said after chairing the weekly state executive council meeting yesterday.

On Tuesday, MACC deputy chief commissioner Datuk Azam Baki said the commission was observing those flying abroad to play golf or to have liaisons with girlfriends or mistresses.

Idris said the state government supported the move by the MACC to keep an eye on such civil servants.

“I welcome the MACC checking on those abusing their powers and won’t interfere if key officials in the state are on the commission’s watchlist,” he added.

Idris said there were cases of civil servants paying exorbitant amounts to take part in motocross events abroad.

“Some of these suspected corrupt indivi­duals were not playing golf but were involved in luxurious sporting activities,” he said.

He said the state had already barred senior officials from playing golf during office hours, even if they were on leave.

The ruling, which was introduced in 2013, states that government officials could only be seen on a golf course after 5pm.