PAKATAN Harapan’s (PH) accusation that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is being used by the Perikatan National (PN) government as a tool to get lawmakers to switch camps is “unfounded and irresponsible”, the agency said in a statement today.

“The MACC vehemently denies allegations by certain political parties that this agency has been used as a ‘political weapon’ to carry out such tactics”, the statement said.

The statements come amidst allegations that the ruling government has been using the anti-graft agency to pressure opposition MPs into switching allegiances to support PN.

MACC maintained that it remains an independent agency and that it ensures its actions are done according to the law without political leanings.

“The accusations are unfounded and irresponsible (and) may tarnish the reputation of MACC and create a negative perception of the commission”, it added.

In a statement yesterday, PH accused the MACC, Inland Revenue Board and police of applying pressure on opposition MPs to switch allegiance.

They also claimed that Tebrau MP Steven Choong and Julau MP Larry Sng were victims of such tactics.

Both pledged their support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on February 28.

Since the allegations by PH, Chong has come out to deny that he was coerced, adding that PH should stop making irresponsible allegations and focus on constructive matters. – March 6, 2021.