Special MACC squad to probe claims by Umno division chief

(The Star) – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has set up a task force to investigate allegations that an Umno division leader was assaulted by its officers while he was under detention.

MACC said investigations carried out by the special squad from the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya would be monitored by an independent complaints committee set up under Section 15 of the MCAA Act 2009.

The five-member committee would be chosen among non-MACC officers to ensure that investigations would be carried out independently and according to procedures, it said.

“The MACC will not compromise and will come down hard on its officers if the allegations are true. The MACC gives its guarantee that the investigation would be carried out professionally and fairly,” it said in a statement yesterday.

Earlier, the 46-year-old division leader from Maran, Pahang, reported that he was punched in the head, shoulder and stomach during his four-day remand in Kuantan.

He claimed that he was forced to strip naked, lie and roll on the floor besides being asked to do squats and sing the national anthem repeatedly.

In his report, he claimed an officer pressed him against the wall and threatened to arrest his wife and ask her to strip if he refused to confess that he had handed money to Umno members.

He lodged his report at the Damansara police station on Jan 29.

The MACC, in return, lodged a report against the Umno leader for allegedly lodging a false report.

MACC deputy commissioner Datuk Abu Kassim Mohammad had reportedly said that the division leader had threatened to lodge a report to smear MACC’s image before he was released.