Over 15 people to be charged tomorrow as MACC widens net

MACC investigations division director Datuk Azam Baki said the 56-year-old suspect was nabbed on Friday in Klang Valley under Ops Tiris along with eight others including a woman, who were from 14 companies that received payments for an unnamed ministry’s programs that never carried out.

PUTRAJAYA: Just 48 hours into its anti-graft campaigns, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has widened its net through a nationwide operation to nab bribe givers.

More than 15 people are expected to be charged in courts nationwide tomorrow for allegedly giving bribes, just two days after the MACC launched its Gerah and 3J anti-corruption campaigns.

Previously, numerous investigations were carried out and action taken mostly against takers, who held high positions in government agencies and GLCs but abused them for personal gains.

It is learnt that the latest group of wrongdoers, ranging from 20 to 50, are in Selangor, Perak, Sabah, Sarawak, Negri Sembilan and Pahang.

They include contractors, businessmen, the self-employed and private sector workers.

Sources said they have offered bribes to enforcement officers such as police and JPJ officers so as not to take action against them for mostly traffic-related offences.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki (pic) confirmed that the anti-graft body would be taking stern action against givers in the latest exercise.

Azam said givers were as guilty as takers and it was high time to show that no one would be spared.

“This is part of our Gerah and 3J campaigns to remind the people not to give, collude or settle cases.

“We need to educate the public that it is also a no-no to offer bribes to be let off for committing an offence, even minor ones like traffic,” he told The Star.

“We have issued enough reminders. Stop it now or prepare to face the music,” he said.

The commission launched the Anti-Corruption Revolution Movement, or Gerah, this week to ensure Malaysians make corruption their number one enemy.

The Gerah campaign will be held on the first Monday of every month and will see MACC officers going on the ground to bring about drastic changes among Malaysians.

Earlier, Azam also confirmed the arrest of a senior officer of Tenaga Nasional Bhd who accepted a luxury car from a businesswoman, who was awarded a job by him.

The 55-year-old project leader is attached to the project management and control division based at the government-linked company’s headquarters.

He is said to have awarded her company the job to supply materials for renovation works to be done at several Tenaga offices in Kuala Lumpur back in 2014. The woman was also arrested.

The suspects have been remanded for five days until May 15.