Kit Siang wants MACC chief to quit~malaysiakini

PETALING JAYA: Describing the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) as a "letdown and a joke", DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang today call for the resignation of the chief commissioner as the MACC has failed to build public confidence and be feared and respected by all.

Lim, the MP for Ipoh Timor, said Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan has reduced the MACC into a “Malaysian Agency for Car and Cows" for the Barisan Nasional to victimise Pakatan Rakyat instead of another ICAC (Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption) respected worldwide for its fight against corruption.

“The unprecedented statement by Ahmad Said that the MACC has ‘good and strong evidence’ of corruption against the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim over the car and cows controversy has destroyed whatever credibility the MACC might have among Malaysians that it would be independent, professional and uninfluenced by the dictates of its political masters,” said Lim.

The veteran DAP politician added although Ahmad Said said the matter would be referred to the Attorney-General's Chambers for further action, the chief commissioner has already taken the unprecedented step of proclaiming Khalid guilty of corruption — which had never be done before in the history of ACA of over four decades!

Lim was also shocked by Ahmad Said's statement that the MACC would also investigate allegations of abuse of power by Perak state assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar for suspending the Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and his state executive councillors from the assembly.

“When did the ACA ever declare in the past 40 years that it would take action against the speaker of Parliament for any ‘abuse of power’ although there had not been any lack of controversies over decisions and rulings of the speaker during the period?” asked Lim.

He viewed the matter with grave concern that the MACC has got involved in the Perak political crisis when it has no business whatsoever to get involved.

“This raises the question whether the entire apparatus of state in the hands of the Federal government, including the MACC, the police, the Attorney-General's Chambers would be abused and arrayed against the Pakatan Rakyat in the Perak political and constitutional crisis?”

Lim felt the dissolution of the Perak state assembly and a snap state election within 30 days to resolve the political crisis state was the best solution.

He said for the MACC to win the confidence of the people in its credibility, independence and professionalism, it could not overlook the mega scandals in the country, whether the RM4.6 billion Port Klang Free Zone scandal or those involving top leaders whether in Barisan Nasional or in the public service.

“How can the MACC win the confidence of the people if it is only interested in Khalid's ‘car and cows’ controversy or Sivakumar's decision as a speaker which has nothing to do whatsoever with MACC?”

Malaysian Insider
21/02/09

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