MALAYSIAN Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki said MACC has no authority to determine whether someone who is involved in corruption is eligible to contest in an election. 

He said the eligibility to contest is under the purview of the Election Commission (EC) as its regulator. 

“We in MACC only investigate issues related to corruption or corruption offences under the Election Offences Act 1954. On whether one can contest or not is up to EC. 

“So far, I have seen that those charged in court have been allowed by the EC to contest. We have always cooperated with the EC, such as opening a MACC operation room at every election,” he said. 

He was responding to a statement by Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi on his Facebook page that questioned how individuals involved in corruption cases could contest in the election. 

Puad is believed to have posted the message in reference to the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election that was held following the Election Court’s annulment of Ahmad Amzad Hashim’s victory in the last general election due to elements of corruption. 

Commenting on the latest developments in the alleged corruption case involving two senior officials of the Human Resources Ministry who were detained in April, Azam said MACC is still waiting for the decision of the deputy public prosecutor (DPP).  

He said MACC had completed the investigation paper on the case and submitted it to the DPP two months ago but had not received updates. 

Earlier, Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar confirmed that he had been called by MACC to assist in investigations related to the hiring of foreign workers. 

Sivakumar reportedly said all officers under investigation by the MACC had their contracts terminated to ensure the ministry could function smoothly. – Bernama, September 30, 2023.