MACC questions Zahid For 8 Hours
THE former DPM, who gave a statement over the alleged misappropriation of a foundation’s funds, is required to meet the graft-busters again today. Also questioned were his daughter and brother.
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) does not forbid its officers and staff from befriending anyone, as long as they do not leak information and evidence involving an investigation.
In saying this, its chief commissioner, Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull, said there was no such thing as refraining officers from befriending people outside the commission, especially political figures.
“There is no such thing as officers not being able to make friends with outside people. We cannot stop someone from befriending others.
“There is no issue, as long as information is not leaked or evidence shared.”
Shukri said Umno Supreme Council member Lokman Noor Adam’s claim that he had “friends” in the commission who had given him information that Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would be called in to have his statement recorded did not warrant further investigation.
He said this was because that was an open secret.
“The notice was served to Zahid and was a public document. He could have told his lawyer, wife and friends about it. There is no confidentiality.”
On Monday, former Umno leader Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan urged the graft-busters to take Lokman’s claim seriously, following Lokman’s claim that he had information that Zahid would be called by MACC for questioning at 10am yesterday.
Shukri said this at a seminar on “Gearing Up For Corporate Liability” at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.
He said the commission would continue to conduct such seminars on corporate liability as there were companies that were unclear on the provisions of the amendment to the MACC (Amendment) Bill, which was passed in Parliament in April.
The bill will introduce Section 17A into the MACC Act 2009.
Under the law, a commercial organisation will be deemed to have committed an offence if any person associated with it commits a corrupt act to obtain or retain business or advantage for the commercial organisation.
Under the provision, the offending organisation, its directors, officers and management are liable to a maximum fine of 10 times the sum of gratification involved or RM1 million, whichever is higher, or a maximum jail term of 20 years, or both, if convicted.
Shukri said commercial organisations were afraid that the entire board of directors would be held liable even if only a person in the company was corrupt.
“If only the individual is involved, there are other provisions, such Section 16 of the act, which can be used.”