According to Tan Sri Azam Baki, the chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the MACC does not have the authority to determine whether a person involved in corruption is eligible to run in an election. Azam Baki stated that the eligibility to contest in elections falls under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission (EC), the regulator of elections.
To date, individuals who have been charged in court for corruption offenses have been allowed by the EC to contest. Azam Baki emphasized that the MACC cooperates with the EC by establishing MACC operations rooms during elections.
These statements were made in response to a Facebook post by Umno supreme council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi, who questioned how individuals involved in corruption cases could participate in elections. The comment was believed to refer to the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election, which was held again after the victory of Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim in the 15th General Election was annulled due to corruption elements.
On a different matter, Azam Baki provided an update on the alleged corruption case involving two senior officials linked to Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar. The MACC is still awaiting a decision from the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) regarding this case. The investigation paper has been completed by the MACC and submitted to the DPP two months ago.
Sivakumar confirmed that he has been called by the MACC to assist in their investigation into the case related to the hiring of foreign workers. Moreover, Sivakumar announced that all the officers under investigation by the MACC had their contracts terminated, ensuring the smooth functioning of the ministry.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
