DPM: ARRESTS NOT POLITICALLY MOTIVATED
MACC just doing its job, Zahid says of probe into Warisan leaders
ARNAZ M. KHAIRUL KUALA LUMPUR news@nst.com.my
THERE is no political motivation behind the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) arrests of Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) leaders as part of its investigation into the alleged siphoning of public funds meant for the state’s poor.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said government agencies, the Rural and Regional Development Ministry in particular, had been instructed to cooperate in the probe.
“There is no political (motive behind) these investigations. MACC is just doing its job,” said Zahid at the 10th Asean Ministers Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication here.
“But on the government’s part, I feel that MACC should get to the bottom of this. Public funds meant for the people, especially the poor, should only be for their benefit,” he said.
Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob declined to comment on the investigation.
“I can’t comment on this, as we do not want to affect investigations. But we will furnish MACC with all documents, if requested,” he said.
MACC, on Thursday night, detained Warisan vice-president Datuk Peter Anthony and two others over allegations of mishandling of federal funds allotted for the underprivileged in Sabah. Among the arrested was a former deputy secretary of a division of the Rural and Regional Development Ministry.