MALAYSIAN Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki must not stay silent over possible graft practices in the police force as alleged by Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador, said DAP lawmaker Gobind Singh Deo.

Gobind said Azam cannot sit back in light of the damning allegations which have in the past week dominated public discussion.

“I urge Azam to break his silence and to publicly state what the MACC will do over the allegations,” Gobind said in a statement today.

“Does the MACC not want to probe and get to the truth behind these allegations?

“MACC was set up to promote the integrity and accountability of both the private and public sector administrations. This is set out in Section 2 of the MACC Act 2009.”

Gobind, who is also Puchong MP, said the allegations came from no ordinary police officer, adding the anti-graft agency must act on cases which impact the integrity of enforcement agencies like the police force.

“What we have is unprecedented. It is no ordinary police officer but the police chief himself and publicly declaring that there are corrupt practices in the force,” the lawmaker said.

“Yesterday, I urged the IGP to lodge a report and for investigations to proceed in the matter. I reiterate that call again.

“The MACC must inspire confidence. Silence is not an option. Azam must explain how he will deal with the problem and if there is no plan to do so, he must explain why.”

Yesterday, Gobind urged Hamid to lodge a police report on alleged attempts by groups of subordinate officers to bring him down.

Hamid had told the press that he plans to meet with the home minister over the matter saying that the issue is still under control.

He also said there is no need to set up a royal commission of inquiry to investigate the matter.

Gobind said internal investigations will not be sufficient to deal with the alleged scandals.

“Allegations like these call for open and transparent investigations and if it is shown that an offence has been committed, then those concerned must face the full force of the law.

“I urge the IGP to seriously reconsider the position. He should direct that a report be lodged, launch a full probe into the complaint and let the law take its course,” he said.

The IGP caused a stir on Wednesday when in an interview with Malay daily Sinar Harian, he said there were junior police officers linked to criminal gangs who were out to tarnish his image and oust him from the force.

Hamid also said his disclosure was not to fish for a contract extension. His contract expires in May. – March 24, 2021.