The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission
(MACC) will soon submit its investigation papers on the National Feedlot
Corporation (NFC) fiasco to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for any
further action.
MACC director of investigations Mustafar Ali (right) told Malaysiakini today that the commission was “in the final stages” of its investigations.
“We have classified the case under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009, for abuse of power.
"The MACC is in the final stages of the NFC investigation and we will submit the papers within a short span of time to the Attorney-General,” he said.
Mustafar was responding to a question on whether the MACC could complete its probe by the end of February.
Section 23 of the MACC Act states abuse of position or status for gratification.
The penalty for this section is under Section 24 of the MACC Act which allows a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of five times the amount of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is greater.
Under the Act, like in the former Selangor menteri besar Khir Toyo’s case, the MACC is empowered to seize whatever the illegal assets that were gained.
The MACC is believed to have been probing the matter following suspicions on NFC chairperson Mohamad Salleh Ismail (left) over a bribery allegation to stop a police probe.
A similar allegation also stems from MACC board advisory member Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas’ email to a group over the alleged bribe attempt.
Subang PKR parliamentarian Sivarasa Rasiah and Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin have given the MACC until the middle of this month to complete its probe on Salleh, who is also the husband of Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
The
police commercial crime division had initially submitted its
investigation papers on NFC to the AG’s Chambers in mid-January, but
they were returned within days.
Asked by Malaysiakini on whether a decision has been made to call Shahrizat to assist in his investigation, Mustafar who is heading a special probe team, said anyone who can assist in the investigations will be called in.
When pressed further on whether Shahrizat would be called in, Mustafar replied: “Yes if there is a need (she will be called in).”
Shahrizat returned to the country late last week after taking leave to perform the umrah. She is expected to resume her duties tomorrow.
The minister, who is also Wanita Umno chief, had said she would not bow down to calls for her resignation, despite being asked to do so by her predecessor Rafidah Aziz and also Cheras Umno division chief Syed Ali Alhabshee.
Rafidah, a former long-time international trade and industry minister had called for Shahrizat to step down saying: “If you are a problem to the party, please move out”.
The NFC is being probed by the police and MACC over allegations of abusing a RM250 million government soft loan, by spending it on luxurious properties and items instead on the cattle centre’s project in Gemas, which it had been tasked to manage.
MACC director of investigations Mustafar Ali (right) told Malaysiakini today that the commission was “in the final stages” of its investigations.“We have classified the case under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009, for abuse of power.
"The MACC is in the final stages of the NFC investigation and we will submit the papers within a short span of time to the Attorney-General,” he said.
Mustafar was responding to a question on whether the MACC could complete its probe by the end of February.
Section 23 of the MACC Act states abuse of position or status for gratification.
The penalty for this section is under Section 24 of the MACC Act which allows a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of five times the amount of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is greater.
Under the Act, like in the former Selangor menteri besar Khir Toyo’s case, the MACC is empowered to seize whatever the illegal assets that were gained.
The MACC is believed to have been probing the matter following suspicions on NFC chairperson Mohamad Salleh Ismail (left) over a bribery allegation to stop a police probe.A similar allegation also stems from MACC board advisory member Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas’ email to a group over the alleged bribe attempt.
Subang PKR parliamentarian Sivarasa Rasiah and Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin have given the MACC until the middle of this month to complete its probe on Salleh, who is also the husband of Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
The
police commercial crime division had initially submitted its
investigation papers on NFC to the AG’s Chambers in mid-January, but
they were returned within days.Asked by Malaysiakini on whether a decision has been made to call Shahrizat to assist in his investigation, Mustafar who is heading a special probe team, said anyone who can assist in the investigations will be called in.
When pressed further on whether Shahrizat would be called in, Mustafar replied: “Yes if there is a need (she will be called in).”
Shahrizat returned to the country late last week after taking leave to perform the umrah. She is expected to resume her duties tomorrow.
The minister, who is also Wanita Umno chief, had said she would not bow down to calls for her resignation, despite being asked to do so by her predecessor Rafidah Aziz and also Cheras Umno division chief Syed Ali Alhabshee.
Rafidah, a former long-time international trade and industry minister had called for Shahrizat to step down saying: “If you are a problem to the party, please move out”.
The NFC is being probed by the police and MACC over allegations of abusing a RM250 million government soft loan, by spending it on luxurious properties and items instead on the cattle centre’s project in Gemas, which it had been tasked to manage.
No comments:
Post a Comment