PUTRAJAYA: Graft busters have found no evidence or basis to support allegations that former Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad received RM53mil in bribes.
This is in connection with the controversy of the transfer of three Asian elephants, known as Dara, Amoi and Kelat, from Taiping Zoo to Osaka’s Tennoji Zoo in March under a 25-year strategic conservation, education and research agreement between the two institutions.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman (pic) said investigations did not uncover any suspicious money trail or transactions involving the former minister or any related company.
“However, investigations are still ongoing against four suspects in connection with the case, with financial and banking analysis continuing,” he told reporters at the MACC headquarters.
The four suspects comprise a retired civil servant, a serving civil servant and two company owners.
Abd Halim revealed that he had instructed the investigating officer to wrap up the investigation within a month.
“So far, 19 witnesses have had their statements recorded,” he added.
On another matter, Abd Halim said the MACC will recommend charges in 69 investigation papers linked to the alleged abuse of the Daya Kerjaya 2.0 incentive programme.
“The 69 investigation papers have been recommended for prosecution because we found sufficient evidence. They involve individuals, companies and agents.
“We will refer the investigation papers to the Attorney General’s Chambers next week. If all goes well, the suspects will be prosecuted the week after next or latest by the first week of August,” he said.
Abd Halim said the MACC’s focus was not only on prosecuting those responsible, but also on addressing weaknesses within the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) that allowed the fraud to occur.
He said the commission would not be taking enforcement action against PERKESO itself as its role was to investigate criminal offences rather than impose administrative penalties on government agencies.
Instead, the MACC plans to deploy its Governance Inspection Division to help PERKESO strengthen its governance framework, internal controls and approval procedures to prevent similar abuse in the future, he added.
