“Should both MPs have the information (on the bribery attempts), they should bring it to MACC for further action,” deputy law and institutional reform minister Ramkarpal Singh said in the Dewan Rakyat.
“Further investigations will be carried out. But first, they need to file the reports,” Ramkarpal said.
Kubang Pasu MP Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail and Besut MP Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh had alleged on Friday that they were offered projects in their respective constituencies in return for their support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration.
Ramkarpal was responding to RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong), who asked the government to respond to the claims by the two MPs and opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin on the bribery attempts.
Rayer had questioned how much longer the government would remain mum about these allegations as they would create negative perceptions of the unity government trying to buy over opposition MPs.
Rayer had also suggested that a report should have been filed by the Prime Minister’s Department with both the police and MACC so that action for criminal defamation could be taken against Hamzah. Rayer said Hamzah had yet to file any report with MACC on his allegations.
Reports against MACC officers for misconduct
Ramkarpal also told the Dewan Rakyat that multiple reports have been lodged against MACC officers for misconduct, abuse of power, negligence, and other offences.
Non-criminal misconduct cases are referred to MACC’s complaints committee while criminal misconduct cases are referred to both the police and MACC, he said.
“For cases related to corruption, abuse of power and embezzlement, (the officers) will be investigated by MACC,” added the deputy minister.
Ramkarpal said between 2018 and September 2023, MACC had taken disciplinary action, including warnings and fines, against 42 officers, and a total of 15 officers have been sacked.
He was responding to Gobind Singh Deo (PH-Damansara) who asked the ministry to provide details on action taken against problematic MACC officers.
We are live on Telegram, subscribe here for breaking news and the latest announcements.