PM wants special court to hear corruption cases

– Bernama

PUTRAJAYA A special court will be set up to hear corruption cases, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Prime Minister said it is needed so that corruption-related cases could be tried without delay.

"We want the corruption court to be set up as soon as possible but we understand there are laws that need to be changed for this to materialise," he said after chairing the special Cabinet committee on anti-corruption on Tuesday.

Dr Mahathir has also directed the police and anti-graft officers to conduct a probe over allegations that authorities were involved in accepting bribes and protecting certain businesses.

"We didn't discuss this at the meeting but we request that the police and MACC investigate the matter," he said.

Sixteen individuals, including a police station chief and two officers, were arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the protection racket on Monday (March 18).

Others arrested include a Fire and Rescue Department official and three Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) officers.