Macc Must Act Impartially Says C4 After Reporter S Arrest

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Malaysiakini reporter B Nantha Kumar being taken to the Putrajaya magistrates’ court for a remand hearing this morning.
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission must act impartially to investigate all cases of corruption, regardless of who is involved, an anti-graft watchdog said today following the arrest of a Malaysiakini reporter.
Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) CEO, Pushpan Murugiah, said it is premature to draw any conclusions into the arrest. However, “we trust that the arrest was made based on solid and credible evidence, adhering to proper procedures and protocols”.
Speaking to FMT, he said C4 had “consistently maintained that all cases of corruption must be investigated, regardless of who is involved.”
He added: “If there is sufficient evidence, the MACC must carry out its duties impartially and without fear or favour.”
Pushpan’s comments come in the wake of several politicians and others who have come to B Nantha Kumar’s defence after the MACC arrested him last night for allegedly soliciting and receiving a bribe from a foreign worker agent.
Pushpan said that while MACC’s investigations have been viewed as selective, as the anti-graft agency is under the purview of the Prime Minister’s Office, the agency had made “commendable efforts” to combat corruption.
Separately, the Malaysiakini branch of the National Union of Journalists Malaysia said it respected MACC’s investigation and called for a transparent investigation.
The union branch hoped that Nantha would be provided with proper access to legal counsel, stating that it stood by the principle of “innocent until proven guilty”.
MACC chief Azam Baki alleged earlier today that the reporter had solicited RM100,000 from a foreign worker agent in return for not publishing two articles about him, with the sum eventually reduced to RM20,000.
He said Nantha had been remanded for four days to assist the investigation for alleged soliciting and receiving bribes. - FMT

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