4148) Minister Opens Door To MACC – New Straits Time – 5/10/17

The minister helming the ministry at the centre of a massive corruption scandal involving government funds of more than RM100 million says he would open all channels to ease the country’s graftbusters’ probe into the case.

This, he said, was on the assumption that the ministry linked to the senior officials being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was his.

“We will assist the MACC if the ministry is involved.

“…but, until today, I have no knowledge of this issue.

“I will make a statement once I get information on the case,” he said.

Meanwhile, a nongovernmental organisation had urged Malaysians to help the country’s graftbusters blow the lid on attempts or acts of corruption committed at the expense of the poor and underprivileged.

Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association chief activist

Datuk Nadzim Johan said as the country progressed towards becoming a developed nation, the corrupt must not be allowed a place in decision-making posts as they could hinder plans put in place to attain this ambition.

It was worrying, he said, to learn of cases of funds being swindled from allocations meant to improve the wellbeing of those living in areas which had not been optimally developed.

Nadzim said he and his organisation could attest to the sorry state of many rural communities, many of whom had been without basic amenities, like water and electricity.

“The reality is that many in these areas still have few basic necessities …

“And, efforts to move them out from poverty could be hampered by the corrupt in power, who are only interested in enriching themselves,” he said.

“I have seen people in these areas barely having enough to wear or food to eat… On top of that, many children there could do with better education opportunities.

“Corruption is wrong on all levels, but it is even more damaging when it involves the unfortunate.

“There is also this sick culture of ‘If I don’t take this money, someone else will’, which is damaging our country,” he said.

Nadzim was commenting on the latest MACC case involving funds being swindled by a group of corrupt senior officials of a ministry, who had been in cahoots with several companies, to redirect more than RM100 million from government coffers, their way.

The allocations were meant for public welfare and infrastructure programmes.

3919) POLICE TO SIGN CORRUPTION - FREE PLEDGE WITH MACC - NEW STRAITS TIMES - 19/7/2017

Kota Kinabalu: The police force will make a corruption- free pledge with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Monday, with Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar taking the lead.

Sabah MACC director Datuk Sazali Salbi said the ceremony for pledge would be held simultaneously at the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur, and state police headquarters.

“The pledging and signing will be led by IGP in Bukit Aman,” he said after witnessing 130 staff member of the Sabah Farmers Organisation Authority (LPP) here taking the pledge yesterday.

LPP is the 53^rd government agency in Sabah to be part of MACC’s initiative to encourage government servants to uphold integrity and avoid corruption.

In April, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman led state cabinet ministers and assistant ministers in making the same pledge.

Tawau Municipal Council recently became the first local authority to take pledge.

“Fighting corruption is not the exclusive duty of MACC.

“It should be practised by everyone as it is part of our responsibility.

“Due to the practise related to corruption and abuse power, some government allocations never reach the people.

“While at the other times, security can be compromised,” said Sazali.

LPP director Anita Misuari said the agency will not adopt a no gift policy to ensure its worker delivered their duty professionally and with integrity.

In Kuala Lumpur, Khalid warned a 43-year-old man who escaped police custody in Penang on July 10 that he” does not know what lies ahead”

“ Whether he still in Malaysia or not, he is still a wanted man. We will still find him…its just a matter of time,” he said at the Kuala Lumpur police Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house.

Khalid said Malaysia was “ not too big” for police to search for the man, adding that even he had run off to another country, police could track him down through technology.

Policemen escorting man from a lock-up had lodged a report that he has escaped from their custody. However, investigation led police to arrest eight officer on suspicion that they been paid by the man to let him go.

Police also arrested civilian believed to be involved in the accident.

Khalid said all the nine individuals, aged 20 to 45, were in police custody and awaiting charges.

On another matter, Khalid denied claims that police were ignoring report lodged by the Muslims Consumers Association Of Malaysia (PPIM) against rent-to-own vehicle scheme company, AGR Cartrade.

He said police were investigating the allegedly unauthorised business, adding that PPIM members were also being investigated following reports lodged against them.

Last week, a video showing PPIM member forcing their way into a private warehouse in Kajang, Selangor, to remove 40 cars emerged on social media.

It was reported that the “operation” was carried out by PPIM’s “Special Action Unit” director Yusuf Azmi along with 10 members accompanied by 30 alleged victim of the company.

“ As a non-governmental organisation, they were not supposed to do that as it is beyond their jurisdiction. They have to obey the law just like everyone else,” said Khalid.

He said no one was above the law, be it those in police force or civilian, and police would take action against who broke the law.

3701) TAKE ACTION TO RESTORE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE, SAY NGOs - NEW STRAITS TIMES - 11/5/2017

                 
GEORGE TOWN: The credibility of Penang Zakat is at stake following the arrest of 12 people by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association chief activist Datuk Nadzim Johan said people contributed their salaries to tithe management bodies so it could be distributed to those in need. “When such scandal surfaces, people will have a fear of continuing their contributions. This is a black mark on Penang Zakat,” he said. Nadzim said those working in Penang Zakat should be more aware of Islamic rules on managing funds and ensure that they were not misappropriated. Penang Pas commissioner Muhammad Fauzi Yusof said that the state Islamic Affairs Department should step up and assume responsibility in this matter. “They should take an active role in restoring the confidence of Penang Zakat’s contributors. “Even if those arrested are proven innocent, doubt has been sowed. It’s important for the department to act in a manner that would prove to the people that they are not beyond reproach,” he said. Jaringan Muslimin Pulau Penang chairman Hafiz Nordin urged the state religious authority to be more vigilant on establishments under its purview. “Zakat money is collected from the public and meant for the poor. Misusing money for the poor is un-Islamic,” he said. He urged for stern action to be taken against those involved in the scandal. Another non-governmental organisation, Persatuan Anak Jati Melayu Islam, also called for stern action to be taken as a deterrent. Its chairman, Yusof Mohamad, said apart from the officials, MACC should also focus on the contractors in their investigations. “We cannot tolerate irresponsible contractors who want to make their work easy and get projects by enticing officials into taking bribes. “However, government officials should also be aware that they are public servants. “In this particular case, they are officials in charge of money for the poor,” he said, adding that the government should step up its campaign in eradicating graft. State Religious Affairs and Domestic Trade committee chairman Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim gave his assurance that no funds were misappropriated from Penang Zakat. Malik said this was based on the annual accounting and an independent auditing process done by the centre. “We will also bring in independent auditors and forensic auditors to investigate if there was any misappropriation of funds,” he said at a press conference at his office in Komtar here yesterday. He said that an independent auditing team was summoned following a report on graft cases back in 2015, but no such problems were found. On allegations that the Penang Zakat chief executive officer had given education aid and scholarships to his child without going through the state Islamic Affairs Department, Malik declined to comment. Malik said that the four Penang Zakat officers would only be suspended if they were charged in court with graft and that no action could be taken on them until MACC concluded its investigation.

2474) BERNAMA - 11/1/16 - BAUXITE : PPIM PRAISES MACC'S PROACTIVE ACTION AGAINST BRIBERY SUSPECTS

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KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) today praised the proactive action taken by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for successfully apprehending bribery suspects involved in environment pollution in Pahang.

"Such unethical activities (of committing bribery and causing environmental pollution) must be combated because it will bring about negative impact to both personal life and public health," PPIM said in a statement here today.

To ensure that the MACC could act more effectively in monitoring activities such unethical activities, the association also proposed to the MACC to increase its strength in terms of number of personnel.

The MACC on Wednesday arrested four Pahang Land and Mines Office staff, including a senior officer, on suspicion of accepting bribes of more than RM100,000 from unlicensed bauxite miners in the state.

The suspects, aged between 30 and 38, were picked up in Kuantan, following investigations carried out for over two months.

Sumber : http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/newsindex.php?id=1205544