MACC: We gave AGC investigation papers on Musa

‘But it decided not to pursue charges’

PUTRAJAYA: Investigation papers on Tan Sri Musa Aman (pic) were submitted to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) back in July 2012, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) confirmed.

But the AGC chose not to prosecute the then Sabah chief minister due to its policy of “not charging cases related to political donation”, the anti-graft body said.

“The commission had already conducted its investigations into Tan Sri Musa, after which the investigation paper on the accused was submitted to the AGC in July 2012 for further action.

“However, the AGC then decided not to pursue with any charges as they were of the view that the investigation was related to political donation.

“At that particular time, it was the policy of the AGC not to charge any case related to political donation,” said the MACC in a statement yesterday.

The commission, however, revisited the case against Musa this year after obtaining new information related to it.

“MACC had re-submitted the investigation paper to the AGC to be reviewed.

“The Attorney General then decided to charge Tan Sri Musa with 35 corruption charges under Section 11(a) of the AntiCorruption Act,” the statement read.

On Wednesday, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng asked former Attorney General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail to explain why Musa was not charged even though MACC had built a case against him.

The lead prosecutor in Musa’s case, Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram, also had said it was “strange” why cases against Musa had been ordered to close.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in response, said there may be reasons why the AGC did not take any action then, adding that the MACC should also come up with an explanation.

Musa was charged on Monday and claimed trial to all charges.

He is accused of receiving bribes amounting to RM243mil in return for timber concessions.

On Wednesday, Musa lost his case in the Kota Kinabalu High Court where he sought to be proclaimed the rightful chief minister of Sabah.

Musa was sworn in as chief minister on May 10 right after the 14th General Election.

Shortly after that, defections by Barisan Nasional representatives gave Parti Warisan Sabah and the Pakatan Harapan coalition the upper hand in the Sabah state assembly.

Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal was then sworn in as the new chief minister on May 12.