Is Xavier Free Of Repercussions From Macc After Switching Sides Asks C4

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The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) has demanded answers on the status of an MACC investigation, which is speculated to be the reason former PKR vice-president Xavier Jayakumar switched sides.
The anti-graft watchdog noted that PKR MP Sivarasa Rasiah had gone on record to state that Xavier (above) would not have jumped if not for MACC's “selective prosecution”.
The Pakatan Harapan presidential council had also accused the government of using enforcement agencies to coerce opposition lawmakers to defect.
“The question remains, however, that if there was nothing to investigate, why would Xavier fear repercussions and possible arrest?” C4 asked in a statement this afternoon.
“As it stands, MACC should be left to do its job, but the status of the case is now up in the air following Xavier's move to Perikatan Nasional (PN),” it added.
Therefore, C4 pressed the current administration and MACC for answers, especially since remaining silent reinforces the speculation that Xavier could now be free.
“Urgent answers are needed as to what happens now to the seized RM1.2 million in cash and the frozen RM77 million in bank accounts...
“C4 also urges MACC to conduct its investigations without favour or fear, and to further establish its independence to remove any undue influence that may affect investigation results,” it added.
Xavier denied that his decision to defect is linked to the investigation, which led to the arrest of his close associate and Perak PKR deputy chief MA Tinagaran.
The Kuala Langat MP claimed it was his frustration over the events of the past year which drove him to support Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's government, which is struggling to hold on to power with a wafer-thin majority in Parliament.
Meanwhile, C4 also urged all MPs who are being targeted to defect to remain brave and uphold the interests of their constituents.
It called on them to come forward with details and facts of threats or coercion, either of themselves or their party members.
“A failure to do so can only be seen as a compromise of the commission itself and an overall loss of trust in the institutions of Malaysia as impartial bodies.
“This is especially important in the wake of allegations that Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) had also fallen into a cloud of compromise when former governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz may have turned a blind eye to suspicious transactions from 1MDB-linked funds involving her husband’s company.
“Governments the world over fear an independent commission, and we ask MACC to stand tall in the face of all the political turmoil, and to do its job with strength and steely determination.
“Ultimately, a commission tasked with anti-corruption has to be above reproach itself. Otherwise, any investigation and verdict would be met with distrust, and viewed as farcical,” it added.
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that PKR's Padang Serai MP Karupaiya Mutusami had been allegedly approached to switch sides.
The lawmaker claimed he received a phone call on Sunday from a man, who only identified himself as “Azhar”, and made lucrative offers to get him to support the PN government. - Mkini

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