Anti-graft group calls for MACC chief commissioner's suspension due to RM25mil theft case

PETALING JAYA: An anti-graft group has called for the suspension of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki while investigations are underway into the alleged theft of US$6mil (RM25mil) in confiscated money by MACC officers.

RasuahBusters team leader Datuk Hussamuddin Yaacub said the case investigation must also be taken over immediately by a special police team in order for a transparent and thorough probe to be carried out.

"MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki must also be held accountable and be suspended while investigations are underway.

"The existence of such cases shows that the demands of RasuahBusters and our coalition for a structural reform whereby the MACC and the Attorney General must be free of political influence and placed under the Parliament, must be implemented immediately," said Hussamuddin in a statement on Monday (Sept 20).

He added that RasuahBusters is also demanding for MPs and the government to immediately approve the six #MalaysiaTanpaRasuah (#MalaysiaWithoutCorruption) political demands it announced on Sept 11.

On Monday (Sept 20), the MACC said it has detained three of its officers to assist in investigations into allegations of abuse of power and malpractice in the case of a former department head.

It added that all three officers have been brought to the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court and remanded under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code for six days from Sept 14 to 19.