Stop all speculation over probe of missing funds, says MACC head

KUALA LUMPUR: Anti- graft officers should be given space and time to probe the “missing” RM40mil from the Skills Development Fund Corp, says Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner said since investigations were still ongoing, speculation or comment on the case would not do any good.

“We will summon more people, if needed, to give us additional information.

“If my officers require more documents, then we will also look for it,” he said after closing the Kembara Jelajah Anti-Rasuah 2017 here yesterday.

So far, five people have been arrested over the alleged misappropriation of the funds, including Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot’s political secretary and the corporation’s chief executive.

Both are Datuks. The 61-year-old political secretary was also remanded for six days.

All the suspects are said to have collaborated in siphoning off allocations provided by the Government over the past two years.

As part of the investigation, Riot was also called in by the MACC on Friday and questioned for nearly 10 hours.

The MACC had also said on Friday that more officials would be summoned over the matter.

On the submission of candidate lists by Barisan Nasional to the MACC, Dzulkifli said the body would start work on the screening process.

“We will do the necessary vetting and inform the candidates of the results.

“Then, it is up to the party to make a decision.

“But for the time being, family members of candidates will not be vetted yet,” said Dzulkifli when interviewed over the matter.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that Barisan Nasional had submitted part of its GE14 list of candidates to the MACC for screening.

He said the list of additional candidates would be submitted to the commission after he makes a decision on the matter.

“We already have the names of the candidates but have not yet reached the verification level and some of the names are in the hands of the MACC,” the Prime Minister told reporters after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting on Friday night.

On the probe into the hotel purchases by Felda Investment Corporation in London and Kuching, Dzulkifli said they were trying to wrap up investigations as soon as possible.

“We have not submitted our final findings yet.

“Maybe by next week or the week after,” he said.