THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed taking the statement of Human Resources Minister Richard Riot today to facilitate investigation into misappropriation of RM40 million from the Skills Development Fund Corporation   
  
MACC chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad said the statements of the minister and his political secretary would aid in the investigation.

“For now, we are only taking the statement of the minister concerned and he is not being detained. If necessary, we will call him back to facilitate investigations,” he told reporters after attending the launching of a mural in conjunction with the MACC Anti Corruption Roadshow (Kejar) 2017 in Ipoh today. 

The event was launched by Perak Menteri Besar Dr Zambry Abd Kadir at the Perak MACC office.

Dzulkifli did not rule out the possibility that more people, including Human Resources Ministry officials, would be called up to assist in the investigation.
 
He said MACC would open investigation papers after sifting though the information obtained from the public and MACC intelligence.  

“We will ensure information received has basis before we open the investigation papers and make arrests,” he said.

Riot, 66, was seen leaving the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya  at 8pm. He had been there since 10am.

Riot, who looked tired, told reporters that he was there to assist MACC in its investigation. “No documents were handed over. I came empty handed”.

On why it had taken 10 hours to have his statement recorded, Riot said that “it was normal” before leaving in a vehicle waiting outside.    

Yesterday his political secretary, Peter Runin, was remanded for six days to facilitate investigation into the case.

On September 13, MACC arrested and remanded four individuals in connection with the case . They were released six days later on MACC bail. – Bernama, September 29, 2017.