Friday 29 Mar 2024
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(Aug 7): Datuk Paul Low must take action following the transfer of two Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) directors to the Prime Minister’s Department, says human rights watchdog Centre to Combat Cronyism and Corruption (C4).

Its executive director Cynthia Gabriel said Low, the minister in the prime minister’s department in charge of integrity, governance and human rights, should no longer be silent or merely "issue statements".

Low has criticised the action taken against MACC over the past week, which is being seen by many quarters as interference in the anti-graft agency's duties, especially its investigation into 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), the state investment vehicle laden with RM42 billion in debts.

"He cannot just issue a statement or two and then go quiet. This is the time for him to take action," she told The Malaysian Insider.

The two officers transferred today –  MACC special operations division chief Datuk Bahri Mohamad Zin and strategic communications director Datuk Rohaizad Yaakob –  had been vocal in criticising the police's actions against MACC.

Seven MACC officers were interrogated by the police in the past week over an alleged leak in the 1MDB probe. Their offices had been raided twice.

Gabriel said Low must act to protect the tenure of appointed MACC officials so that they could see their jobs through.

She also labelled the transfer as an act of "bullying" by those in power.

"This is another bullying tactic, a fear tactic that has almost halted the investigations on 1MDB," she said.

The latest turn of events also raised concerns over the independence of MACC, she added, as its officers were still subject to such abrupt transfers.

Both the officers were transferred with "immediate effect" over "disciplinary issues". – The Malaysian Insider

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