MACC chief ‘speechless’ over Selangor government’s refusal to sign pledge

(The Star) – “I am speechless.” That’s the response from Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad (pix) when asked about a report that the Selangor government would not sign the anti-corruption pledge.

“Selangor says it does not want to sign. I read about that in the newspaper, so I don’t know whether that is really the stand of the state government.

“My comment is, I am speechless. Let the rakyat evaluate, that is all,” the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner told a press conference Thursday.

Dzulkifli was asked about the Selangor government’s refusal to sign the pledge as reported in a Malay daily.

He was at the signing of an anti-corruption pledge by senior management and vendors of the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) here.

On comments by Padang Serai MP N. Surendran that the MACC was in breach of Article 5 of the Federal Constitution by making detainees wear the orange lock-up uniforms, Dzulkifli said: “If any provision under the law is unconstitutional, take it up in court and challenge, that is what the court is for.”

In the case of former Felda chairman Tan Sri Isa Samad who was not handcuffed when he was brought to court to be remanded on Wednesday, Dzulkifli said it was the prerogative of the MACC officer to determine if a person should be handcuffed.

“I believe my officer in this case who exercised his prerogative has a valid reason. You can further ask (MACC deputy chief commissioner for operations) Datuk Azam Baki.

Isa was remanded over investigations into the controversial hotel purchases by Felda Investment Corporation.

On the High Court decision to set aside the remand order against Penang executive councillor Phee Boon Poh, Dzulkifli said he understood that an appeal would be filed against the decision on Thursday.