MACC officer under probe
(NST) – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is believed to have started an internal investigation against one its officers for allegedly abusing his powers and accepting "kickbacks".
A senior MACC officer confirmed that investigations had started after a complaint letter against the officer was received by its commissioner, Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan, last month, exposing the activities of the officer.
A copy of the letter which was titled Harapkan pagar, pagar makan padi "was also sent to three other senior MACC officers, including Inteligence Department director Datuk Mohd Jamidan Abdullah; Investigations Department Director Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdul and Assistant Commissioner (Excellence and Professionalism) Abdul Wahab Abdul Aziz.
It is learnt that the officer, a superintendent, received gifts and financial kickbacks from a businessman to begin investigations into several cases involving his business rivals, some of which had already been taken to court last year.
The superintendent, who is in his mid-30s, has a technical background and has been involved in the investigation of several high profile cases, including those involving politicians, senior civil servants and businessmen since joining the department about seven years ago.
The officer is said to be among the "rising stars" in the department, which was formerly known as the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA).
It is learnt that among the allegations in the letter sent to Ahmad Said were that the superintendent was becoming "too close" to a businessman from Sabah and Sarawak, who is involved in the food industry.
The businessman is alleged to be using the superintendent as one of his "men" to threaten his business rivals.
Apart from that, another report allegedly stated that the businessman had used the superintendent to "force" the Subang Jaya Municipal Councl (MPSJ) to take action against his neighbour for making certain modifications to his house wall which did not follow MPSJ specifications.
A source from MPSJ confirmed that they had received threats that they would be investigated by the MACC on bribery allegations if they did not act against the businessman's neighbour.
Subsequently, they had gone on to destroy the modifications to the house, which could have been overlooked by the council.
It is learnt that the superintendent had also received gifts and financial kickbacks and that the MACC was now investigating his personal and family financial accounts to determine if there were any extraordinary amounts deposited.
The senior MACC officer confirmed that the superintendent had since been transferred, and was now carrying out supplementary duties at the anti-money laundering department, pending investigations.
When contacted, Ahmad Said and deputy commissioner Datuk Abu Kassim Mohammad neither confirmed nor denied the incident.
