MACC denies going slow on Nik Aziz probe

(Bernama) – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has given an assurance that there will be no exception in the corruption probe on Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat involving the sponsorship for pilgrimage and the irregularities claimed to have occurred in the Kelantan Menteri Besar Incorporated (PMBK).

MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Zakaria Jaffar said no one could be considered as an “exception” in such a case as this, including the menteri besar and the investigation would be carried out according to the law.

“Our investigation is standard and the MACC probe is not tied to anyone,” he told reporters after the handover of duties between the Kelantan MACC Director, Mohd Jaafar Hussin and the MACC Academy Deputy Director, Nasaruddin Mohd Nor, here today.

He said this when commenting on the move by the Kelantan Umno Youth movement in lodging a report to the MACC in Putrajaya earlier concerning a blog which carried an article entitled “SPRM Kelantan Pro-Pas: Siasatan Kes Nik Aziz Terbengkalai” (Kelantan MACC Pro-Pas: Investigation into Nik Aziz’s Case Abandoned).

Kelantan Umno Youth chief Anuar Sapian said the movement had lodged the report as it wanted the MACC to investigate the allegation because the MACC was an independent body.

Yesterday, the Director of the MACC Corporate Communications Division, Datuk Ahmad Khusairi Yahya said the Kelantan MACC had completed its investigation into the case on the alleged corruption by Nik Abdul Aziz and the investigation papers had been submitted to the public prosecutor for further action.

Zakaria said the provision of the law was clear and transparent regardless of the personality involved and action would be taken based on the facts of the case investigated by the MACC.

He said the MACC was now waiting for the decision of the public prosecutor whether to prosecute or otherwise.