What happened to MACC probe on Taib?

KUCHING: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) must release immediately details of its investigation into Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s alleged abuse of power and corruption.


The call comes on the heels of reports that the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) has launched investigations into Deutsche Bank on account of its business relations with Taib’s family.

Calling for an update on the MACC probe, Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian asked: “What has happened to the investigation? We want to know the status of the investigations…”

“This is very important in view of the latest allegation against the chief minister of money laundering.”
Following several MACC reports lodged against Taib by PKR leaders and others, the MACC announced that it was investigating all reports made against Taib.

The announcement, made on April 3, 2011 and before the state election, was apparently aimed at “appeasing” voters after opposition began flogging the issue.

But little has been heard from MACC since despite demands by the opposition.

“We are concerned with the results of the investigations. The MACC must be serious about it.
“I hope the MACC will not wait until the next general election to make another announcement. Such an announcement will smell of a political agenda of the commission,” he added.

Freeze Taib’s assets

Welcoming BaFin’s move, Baru also urged other countries to follow suit and pursue their investigations very aggressively and seriously.

The countries he referred to include the US, Canada, Britain and Australia where Taib and his family have properties worth several billions of ringgit.

The Bruno Manser Fund (BMF), which has been in the forefront against Taib and his family for abuse of power, corruption and money laundering, comfirmed the BaFin report and urged the German authorities to freeze Taib’s assets in Germany.

Since 2004, Deutsche Bank has processed transactions worth several hundred million of euros for the Sarawak government and is engaged in a joint venture in Malaysia with the Cahaya Mata Sarawak Company (CMS) which is controlled by the Taib family.

CMS and Deutsche Bank are the principal shareholders of the finance company K & N Kenanga Holdings based in Kuala Lumpur with its subsidiary Kenanga Deutsche Futures, an accredited broker at the Malaysian stock exchange.

Speed up probe

Meanwhile, state vice-chairman See Chee How, who was also present, called on Taib to clear his name.
“If the allegations are not true, he can sue those concerned… this is a serious issue. The allegations made are against the leader of the state government.

“We are all concerned… we want the MACC to speed up its investigations,” said See, who is the Batu Lintang state assemblyman.

During the last sitting of the State Legislative Assembly, Taib declared that the allegations against him were not true.

A bid by the opposition to debate Taib’s denial was dismissed.