More may be arrested by MACC
Agency calling in more witnesses in investigations into kickbacks
THE graftbusters are calling in mor people for questioning.
THE Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission has not ruled out the possibility of more arrests, even as it calls in more people for questioning in its probe into the proposed Penang undersea tunnel project.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki said yesterday more witnesses would be called in to assist in investigations.
However, he said he did not want to speculate on who were involved in the case.
It was reported last week that several politicians were believed to have received a significant amount of money in the approval of the project.
Quoting sources, the report said the high amount was given as kickbacks.
“I’m not naming any politician or any individual. Investigations are going on and they will take a long time to complete.
“I can’t tell when we will conclude the investigations,” said Azam after the official retirement ceremony of MACC deputy chief commissioner (management and professionalism) Datuk Seri Mohd Jamidan Abdullah yesterday.
MACC officers had recorded statements from 76 people.
The proposed 7.2km undersea tunnel was part of a RM6.3 billion project undertaken by Consortium Zenith, which also included three paired roads.
The project had raised numerous controversies in recent months, especially on the high cost of its RM305 million feasibility study, as well as the 21month delay in its construction.
Two company officials, who were Datuks, were detained on Jan 9 and released on bail after 10 days.
On accusations by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng that MACC was practising double standards by not taking action against the leaks of information about purported kickbacks in the project, Azam said the commission was professional in carrying out its duties.
“We will look into all angles of the information we receive from media.
“Not all information will be true. We have our own way to assess and filter information.”
When asked about the decision by Pas not to seek MACC’s help in vetting its candidates for the general election, Azam said it was up to the party.