Decision to charge wife not a blanket order, says MACC

PUTRAJAYA: The decision to prosecute the wife of a man found guilty of graft is not a blanket order, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki said yesterday.

Azam, who was responding to a report that wives can be charged if they hide their husbands’ corrupt ways, said the matter would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

“It’s on a case-by-case basis. The wife will have to go through our investigation procedures to ascertain that she is not in cahoots with her husband suspected of corruption.

“The investigation procedures remain unchanged,” he added.

MACC chief commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad made headlines at a Berita Harian forum on Monday when he said that wives could be charged with offences under the Anti-Money Laundering Anti-Terrorism Financing And Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFAPUAA 2001) should they hide any corruption in which their husbands might be involved.

Quoting an example of a government officer found guilty of stashing millions in his house, he said the wife of the suspect would be hauled up for questioning.

Dzulkifli’s statement sparked an outcry among Netizens.