KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 25): The Democratic Action Party (DAP) will push ahead with its call for the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate “corporate mafia” allegations made against the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), its national chairman Gobind Singh Deo said.
This comes despite the MACC dismissing the claims as baseless and describing them as part of a smear campaign intended to tarnish the agency’s reputation.
The “corporate mafia” allegation surfaced following a Bloomberg report titled Who’s Watching Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Watchdog? earlier this month, which highlighted claims that a group of businessmen had colluded with senior MACC officials to influence takeovers of Bursa Malaysia-listed companies.
In a statement on Wednesday, Gobind, who is also the digital minister, said the allegations have raised serious questions about the integrity of the MACC and that a denial alone is insufficient.
“It is a fundamental principle of justice that no one should be a judge in their own case. When the integrity of our premier anti-graft agency is questioned, a self-issued clearance does not measure up,” he said.
Gobind said the party’s position, as previously expressed by secretary-general Anthony Loke, is that an impartial and transparent inquiry is required.
He said the allegations are specific, naming individuals and companies and referring to identifiable cases, thus providing sufficient basis for investigations to commence.
“The best option would be for an RCI to be formed, as it would be equipped with the necessary statutory powers to conduct a proper and meaningful inquiry into the matter,” he said.
Gobind stressed that the call for an inquiry is not about assigning blame but about reaffirming that the MACC remains beyond suspicion and free from allegations affecting its integrity and credibility.
He noted that the claims have generated significant interest domestically and internationally, making it important for adequate steps to be taken.
“This is not about undermining the MACC but strengthening it and ensuring that all agencies entrusted with investigative and enforcement powers are subject to inquiry and the rule of law,” he added.
Gobind said the party maintains that an RCI should be set up as soon as possible to conduct an effective and transparent probe into the allegations.