SEREMBAN: Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan, the former Bersatu information chief, has been given until Sunday (March 10) by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to file a report alleging that he was offered RM1.7 million to pledge his support for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki stated that if Wan Saiful fails to do so, appropriate action will be taken.
Azam confirmed that as of the current moment, Wan Saiful has not lodged any complaint or report with the MACC headquarters regarding the alleged offer. He emphasized that it is Wan Saiful’s obligation to report the matter as he was the one who made the claim in Parliament.
“We will wait for him to do so this week, and if he doesn’t, then we will act next week,” Azam announced to reporters in a press conference on Monday after a corruption-free pledge by Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun and other state assemblymen.
Under Section 25(1) of the MACC Act 2009, Wan Saiful is responsible for coming forward to report the alleged offer, and it is not the MACC’s duty to retrieve him and bring him to their office for this purpose, Azam stated.
Wan Saiful had claimed on Feb 28 that he had been repeatedly approached with inducements to support the Prime Minister, with the promise of RM1.7 million in parliamentary allocations and other benefits if he backed Anwar Ibrahim. He also alleged that government project allocations could be directed to his associates.
Additionally, Wan Saiful stated that charges against him related to the Jana Wibawa project would be dropped if he pledged his support to Anwar. He mentioned that he had agreed to meet the individuals making the offers at various hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya.
Azam declined to disclose the specific actions that the MACC would take if Wan Saiful does not report the matter within the given timeframe. He asserted that his officers would take action should Wan Saiful fail to comply with the directive.
In a different issue, Azam mentioned that the MACC would consult the Attorney General’s Chambers before deciding whether to charge businessman Datuk Seri Muhammad Adlan Berhan, who is currently missing, in absentia. Muhammad Adlan is the son-in-law of former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Azam noted that CBT charges had been prepared against Muhammad Adlan on Feb 22; however, his whereabouts remain unknown. The decision to charge him in absentia would be made in due course after discussions with the AG’s office, Azam explained.
Azam also stated that the MACC has not received any reports of alleged misconduct or abuse of power by Aminuddin or his administration members since their appointment following the last state election. They remain committed to addressing any reported violations in accordance with the law.
