Malaysia Today Incorrect – MACC

Referring to news reports under the title “Return of the Jedi: The Return Match for Najib” dated July 18, 2015 and “Plumber Wanted: to plug the leak in the Special Task Force” dated July 20, 2015, featured in Malaysia Today, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) would like to emphasize and clarify certain facts that were incorrect.

The MACC wishes to clarify that Tan Sri Rashpal Singh a/l Jeswant Singh was a former member of the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (ACAB), one of the five independent oversight bodies that monitors and advises on the functions and operations of the MACC. His tenure as a member of the ACAB ended on February 24, 2015.

Tan Sri Rashpal Singh served as member of the ACAB for a maximum of two terms (six years) – as stipulated in the MACC Act 2009. Thus, the report in Malaysia Today that claims that Tan Sri Rashpal “was removed due to certain breaches” is absolutely incorrect.

In fact, due to his contributions to the MACC especially in the implementation of the transformation program since 2009, Tan Sri Rashpal Singh was selected to be a member of the Operations Review Panel of the MACC, in which he had to decline due to his present commitments and responsibilities.

The MACC wishes to state and emphasize that members of the independent oversight body, including Tan Sri Rashpal, are not privy nor has access to confidential information. Members of the panel can or may obtain such information, upon request, for purposes of seeking clarification on certain issues or cases during the meetings of respective panels.

Related to 1MDB case, Tan Sri Rashpal has no access at all because currently he is not a member of any independent oversight bodies that monitors and advises on the functions and operations of the MACC.

Therefore, the MACC is firm in stating and clarifying that the claim that confidential information related to the wife of the Prime Minister can be distributed to any party, including to the Sarawak Report, is incorrect and against the policies of the MACC. The MACC hereby categorically refutes the claims stated in the news reports in Malaysia Today.

DATO’ ROHAIZAD YAAKOB
DIRECTOR
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION
MALAYSIAN ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION