MAT SABU WELCOMES PROBE INTO AIDE’S ALLEGED GRAFT CASE
Defence minister ready to give cooperation to graft busters
DEFENCE Minister Mohamad Sabu has welcomed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) probe against his aide, who allegedly received RM800,000 to clear his bankruptcy status.
Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Sabu, said he welcomed the graft-busters to investigate anyone in the Defence Ministry, “or even in my office”.
Mat Sabu said he was ready to give full cooperation to the MACC, as he had vowed never to compromise on integrity-related issues.
“Should there be any case, MACC can charge the person involved according to the law.”
Earlier, Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) communications director Khalid Abdul Samad said the MACC investigation showed that the government did not interfere in the commission’s work.
He said MACC’s free hand in probing the matter would also lead to a corrupt-free administration.
“We welcome what MACC is doing. If they find any case against the person being investigated, then he must be charged,” he said.
“PAN will not protect him or demand the prosecution against him to be halted. This is our commitment to the people to ensure a corrupt-free administration.”
It was reported that MACC’s investigations against Mat Sabu’s aide began two months ago. Mat Sabu is PAN president.
The probe was launched following a report received from a whistleblower. The senior officer had been summoned by MACC to have his statement recorded.
MACC had summoned 10 other individuals to record their statements, including several defence contractors and businessmen.
It was reported that MACC was probing the officer, who had allegedly received RM800,000 from several quarters to help him settle his debts and free him from his bankrupt status.
He was declared bankrupt by the Insolvency Department four years ago. He remained a bankrupt until the end of May, when the department received payments from several quarters.
The payment was made several days after Mat Sabu was sworn in as defence minister.
MACC is investigating whether the payment was made with the aim of securing projects from the Defence Ministry in return.