PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has denied practising selective prosecution in corruption investigations involving journalists.
Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the recent arrest of a news portal journalist was based on strong evidence that the man allegedly requested and received a cash bribe of RM20, 000.
He said on Sunday (March 2) that the investigation found that the money was received in return for taking down published articles and not publishing further reports about a foreign workers agency allegedly involved in a syndicate for the entry of foreign workers.
"MACC has never chosen to be picky in carrying out investigations, as anyone involved in corruption, including journalists or politicians, will still be investigated without exception," Sinar Harian quoted Azam as saying.
He said this in response to calls from some parties who questioned the MACC's action in detaining the journalist instead of focusing on the allegations of corruption involving foreign workers and immigration officers.
The media previously reported that the arrest of the 49-year-old journalist in a hotel in Shah Alam on Friday was made after investigations found he had requested RM100,000, later reduced to RM20,000.
He is now under remand for four days, with the case being investigated under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009.
