PETALING JAYA: The proposed terms of reference for a special task force investigating allegations of a “corporate mafia” will be presented to the Cabinet next week, says Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.
The Communications Minister said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had informed ministers of the development during yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.
“The Prime Minister informed the Cabinet that the framework for the terms of reference of the special task force investigating the allegations will be presented at next week’s Cabinet meeting,” he told a press conference.
Fahmi said Anwar had reiterated the government’s commitment to making the investigation findings public within three months.
Anwar had announced the time frame during Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.
On a separate matter, Fahmi said Malaysia remained ready to deploy firefighting assets to Indonesia to help combat forest fires contributing to the regional haze.
He said Anwar had reiterated the offer during the Cabinet meeting and expressed appreciation for the strong diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Indonesia.
“The offer still stands. Malaysia remains ready to provide assets if they are needed,” he said.
However, Fahmi said Malaysia had yet to receive a response from Indonesia on the type of assistance it was prepared to accept.
He said the Foreign Ministry and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry were awaiting further details from the Indonesian authorities.
Fahmi also said no Malaysian companies had been identified as being involved in forest-burning activities in Indonesia so far.
He said the Cabinet had been informed that Indonesian authorities had taken action against 11 companies.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup had also briefed the Cabinet on developments concerning the haze situation, Fahmi added.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) was investigating the livestream of an alleged attack on a teacher by a student at an international school in Kuching.
“MCMC is currently investigating the matter,” he said, adding that the commission would issue a media statement upon completion of its investigation.
On Wednesday, a 16-year-old student allegedly attacked a female teacher with an axe, injuring her hand.
Police confirmed that the student had livestreamed the incident on Facebook before MCMC removed the video.
On Thursday, MCMC urged the public and media practitioners to stop circulating the video, warning that doing so could affect the privacy, dignity and emotional well-being of those involved.
The commission also reminded the public that disclosing a child’s identity could violate the Child Act, while disseminating such content could result in action under the Communications and Multimedia Act.
