Concerns raised over potential misuse of MACC for political motives

SHAH ALAM – Recent issues in Malaysian politics have ignited concerns regarding the potential misuse of government agencies for political motives.

This has been stressed by the Bersatu legal and constitutional bureau deputy chairman Sasha Lyana Abdul Latif, who has urged the government to cease using such tactics to intimidate opposition MPs and to redirect its efforts toward addressing the needs and concerns of the people.

Sasha's comments come in the wake of allegations of corruption against Putrajaya MP Datuk Mohd Radzi Md Jidin of Perikatan Nasional (PN).

In a statement, Sasha also raised the issue during parliamentary session on Sept 19, whereby the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had allegedly accused Radzi of corruption without providing any concrete evidence to support his claims.

She also pointed out that the swift actions taken by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Anwar's political allies, coupled with the timing of these events following the parliamentary dispute, have raised questions about the integrity and independence of these investigations.

"It should remembered that the MACC Chief Commissioner directly answers to the Prime Minister and that his position is at the mercy of the Prime Minister's discretion.

"This is not the first time that such things have happened and that the abuse of MACC investigation powers has reached unprecedented levels against the opposition since Anwar became Prime Minister," she added.

Sasha also highlighted the recent controversy surrounding Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi's DNAA (Discharge Not Amounting to Acquittal), which she said paints a worrying picture of efforts to tarnish the opposition's image through highly publicised MACC investigations.

She stressed that this recent controversy is not an isolated incident and that there has been a noticeable increase in the use of MACC investigations against opposition leaders since Anwar Ibrahim assumed office as Prime Minister.

Sasha urged Anwar and his government to focus on the troubles and plight of the people and to create policies to improve their lives rather than spending their time in unlawful plots to run down the opposition.