‘MACC should look into evidence JMM submitted’
lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in Putrajaya over the alleged irregularities.
“It (TMI) is not just interfering in RCI’s investigation.
“It has been (involved in) instances of sabotage against our country’s leaders, politics and economy.
“We hope MACC will look into the evidence we have submitted and investigate the dubious nature of the portal’s funding from abroad.
“If it has a legitimate agenda and funding, there is no reason for the funding to come from abroad.”
MACC deputy chief commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki said not all reports received by the commission were proven to be a crime or abuse of power.
He said TMI was not a government entity or a public body.
“For funding received by a company that is not a government body, any wrongdoings will not fall under the MACC Act 2009.
“After studying the report by JMM, we have found no wrongdoings that can be classified under the act. We will inform JMM.”
MCMC chief operating officer Datuk Dr Mazlan Ismail said the matter was under police investigation after TMI chief executive officer and editor Jahabar Sadiq lodged a report.
“I cannot comment much. MCMC will cooperate with the police.”
On Dec 15, Jahabar lodged a report over an alleged leak of confidential information in his statement to MCMC.
The statement was provided to MCMC as part of its probe into the portal.
When contacted, Jahabar said five TMI editors, including himself, were called up by MCMC for questioning several weeks ago.
“The interrogation was done weeks ago and it has been reported. It’s an old story.”
Asked if TMI was prepared to be questioned by the police and MACC, he said: “We always cooperate with the authorities, so I don’t see why this question should arise.”
Umno Youth international bureau deputy chief Bastien Onn said the graft-busters must clarify the issue surrounding TMI’s operations and agenda, which he described as questionable.
“If it was a foreign paper, such as the New York Times, writing such things, then it is up to them.
“But, this is happening on our shores, under our laws.
“We cannot allow this,” said Bastien yesterday.
“The fact that TMI is based here but receives funds from Hong Kong under dubious circumstances should raise questions of foreign interference in our politics.
“Such articles point to that. The media battle should be left between government- and opposition-backed media, whose operations are clear and within the limits of our laws, and not media funded by unknown foreign entities that reek of foreign interference into our affairs,” he said.