Graft probe on Scorpene, A-G still being considered, says deputy minister
UPDATED @ 10:50:33 PM 21-11-2012
KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is still mulling the possibility of investigating two high-profile controversies — the Scorpene submarine scandal and claims that Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail had accepted bribes from a construction firm, a deputy minister said today.
“At this point, on those issues raised, I can only say that they are under the consideration of the MACC,” deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk V.K. Liew told the Dewan Rakyat today.
The Sandakan MP was replying to a supplementary question from Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) during Question Time on what action the graftbusting agency has taken in the two controversies.
“If no action has been taken, please explain why,” the DAP leader asked.
Blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin had alleged last August 23 that Abdul Gani (picture) had received bribes from Datuk Vincent Lye, the former deputy executive chairman of construction firm Ho Hup Sdn Bhd, in exchange for help in a boardroom tussle.
Abdul Gani later denied the claims but according to previous news reports, the MACC raided the firm’s corporate office in Bandar Bukit Jalil in September and took several files as part of their investigation.
The country's top lawyer has also been linked to numerous other controversies, including claims from a former senior officer that he had purportedly fabricated evidence in the Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim 'black eye' case in 1998.
Earlier, Gobind had also asked the deputy minister to state the number of public officials under investigation for corruption since 2005.
Liew revealed that between 2005 and 2011, a total of 5,983 investigations were opened against public officials.
Of the total, 816 individuals were charged, 324 convicted, 69 were given discharge not amounting to an acquittal, 298 were discharged, 20 cases withdrawn while 105 are still pending in court.
