Professional shuttler investigated over match-fixing claims

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has confirmed receiving a report and looking into the claim that one of the country’s professional badminton players is being investigated by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on suspicion of matchfixing.

Its deputy commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki said the investigation is still at the preliminary stage.

“MACC understands that BWF is conducting further investigation based on the latest information we received. To our knowledge this professional player is not under the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

“We will investigate because match-fixing involves corruption,” he told a press conference at the ‘Sahabat Gerakan Revolusi Anti Rasuah (GERAH)’ programme and launch of the ‘Gerakan Memerangi Pemberi Rasuah (Gempur)’ campaign with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) at Menara DBKL here.

A local newspaper yesterday carried the story on the investigation by BWF into alleged match fixing by the professional badminton player.

According to the news report, the player in his 20s was suspended last month from participating in any championship pending completion of the investigation by BWF.

Meanwhile, the campaign launched by MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Dzukifli Ahmad was aimed at educating civil servants on rejecting bribe offers or any form of corruption.

The campaign was launched simultaneously nationwide in conjunction with GERAH series 2/2018 which focuses on elimination of corruption in local authorities.

Also present at the function were Kuala Lumpur mayor Tan Sri Mhd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz, deputy chief commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil and deputy chief commissioner (Management and Professionalism) Datuk Jaafar Mahad. - Bernama