KUALA LUMPUR: It’s not just the Opposition, but government leaders are also being investigated for corruption, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“I don’t know the specifics, but I was informed that there are probes against leaders from both the Opposition and the government.
“I don’t know their positions, I only asked the authorities and they confirmed that there are investigations.
“Whether or not there are charges, that is up to the authorities, which is the Attorney General’s Chambers,” he said during the weekly Prime Minister Question Time in Parliament here yesterday.
He was responding to a supplementary question by Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PN-Rantau Panjang), who asked if there were investigations involving government leaders to ensure there was no selective prosecution.
Anwar said he was also open to investigations on PKR’s political funds.
“The law allows donations to political parties. What was linked in the previous prosecution was if there was an element of corruption because those who secured contracts provided funds to themselves, parties, or their companies.
“If anyone has concerns about corruption elements in donations to PKR, you can raise that up. I have no problems,” added Anwar, who is also PKR president.
Perikatan Nasional leaders have criticised Anwar over alleged political persecution after a few of its leaders were implicated in several corruption cases during the previous administration led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Separately, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Malaysia Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) is free to investigate any government agency without interference.
“We (at the Home Ministry) are open 25 hours a day and that is our commitment and openness in efforts to overcome this corruption problem.
“So by respecting and recognising the role of enforcement agencies such as the MACC, this will remain my position as long as I lead the ministry” he spoke to reporters after attending the Home Ministry Iftar Madani event at the Selangor police headquarters yesterday.
Saifuddin added that if the public has evidence on corruption, the correct process is to make a report with the MACC.
Meanwhile, Bernama reported that MACC has denied allegations made in a blog that two of its senior officers were masterminds in the abuse of power and corruption linked to corporations.
It said the officers have been called to provide explanations before a police report was lodged about the allegations.
“The MACC is confident that the matter is merely irresponsible wild accusations deliberately aimed at MACC officers to create a negative perception of the commission.
“But if there is evidence, the party has to come forward to make a complaint or a report to enforcement and not through allegations on social media hiding behind a fake identity,” the commission said in a statement yesterday.
The commission said it would not open investigation papers without proof or facts as each probe has to be conducted according to standard operating procedure based on the provision of law and monitored by five independent monitoring bodies.
