Azam denies MACC has contacted Wan Saiful

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has denied reaching out to Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan over his allegations that he was offered RM1.7mil if he would pledge his support for the Prime Minister.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said no one from the commission had contacted the MP despite Wan Saiful’s claim that he was contacted by MACC officers over what he had said in the Dewan Rakyat.

“I have checked with my investigation officers about Wan Saiful’s claim, but none of them had contacted him. Perhaps it was someone else pretending to be an officer from the MACC.

“Ideally, under Section 25(1) of the MACC Act 2009, the person who is offered or given or promised a bribe should come forward to lodge a report either at the nearest police station or our office,” Azam told reporters after attending the National Anti-Corruption Summit 2024, which was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim here yesterday.

Azam added that the MACC will carry out a proper investigation into all complaints and reports lodged with it.

“This is not just mere speculation – once he has made such an allegation (of the RM1.7mil inducement), then he must be responsible and come forward,” he said.

On Wednesday, Wan Saiful said he was contacted by MACC officers about lodging a report over the claims he had previously made in the Dewan Rakyat.

During the Dewan Rakyat session, he said he was offered RM1.7mil in allocations for his constituency if he pledged support for Anwar.

On a separate matter, Azam said the MACC is actively communicating with the authorities to locate businessman Datuk Seri Muhammad Adlan Berhan, whose whereabouts have not been determined.

He said once Muhammad Adlan is located, MACC will proceed to charge him with criminal breach of trust (CBT).

When asked if MACC would initiate prosecution in absentia against Muhammad Adlan, Azam did not rule out the possibility.

On Feb 22, Azam had said that several CBT charges had been prepared for Muhammad Adlan.

On Aug 9 last year, Muhammad Adlan denied he was trying to evade authorities.