THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) must launch an investigation into allegations of groups within the police force bent on ousting Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador, said DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

According to Lim, MACC chief Azam Baki should “practice what he preaches” by investigating these elements within the force, following Hamid’s recent allegations.

Lim said the logic behind Azam’s explanation that the allegation was an internal police issue was “perverted and preposterous”.

“Corruption is not an internal problem to be resolved internally but a crime that must be resolved publicly in courts,” Lim said in a statement.

He pointed out that Azam had told The Sunday Star that fighting corruption among civil servants is particularly important.

However, the MACC chief had earlier said the anti-graft agency did not intend to interfere in the issue Hamid had raised because it was an internal police problem.  

Azam said the MACC was confident in the ability and credibility of the police to address the issue as Hamid had also made a statement that they could do so.

On March 23, Hamid had said that police have identified the individuals trying to topple him.

Without revealing their names, he had said the issue was still under control and under his supervision, and he was confident that those involved could not “move” at the moment.

Lim said Azam should know the international best practices against corruption require an independent body to investigate and act, not conduct an internal inquiry, that would tend to minimise or cover up wrongdoings.

“Applying Azam’s logic, there is no need for the MACC to investigate and arrest police personnel for corruption or any person for that matter, since it can also be resolved internally,” he said.

“What are the circumstances that makes it an internal matter and who decides whether it can be resolved internally?”

He added MACC has abdicated its responsibility and statutory duty under Section 7 of the MACC Act that requires the anti-graft agency to “detect and investigate” suspected offences and “to examine the practices, systems and procedures of public bodies”.

“By refusing to investigate (police), public confidence in MACC’s credibility and professionalism have been severely affected.

“More so when Hamid had disclosed that even a former IGP was on the payroll of crime syndicates.”

Lim said the failure to take action by MACC must be addressed in a royal commission of inquiry.

“Since the MACC has refused to act, there is an urgent need to establish a RCI to ensure that we can get to the root of the problem and clean up the police force.

“Again, MPs are unable to compel Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Takiyuddin Hassan to do so, since he no longer needs to account to Parliament, which has been suspended.

“Closing down Parliament has allowed, not just government ministers, but also government enforcement agencies like MACC, to stop carrying out their duties in the name of public interest,” he added. – March 30, 2021.