Macc Urged To Explain Disparity In Farhash Sabah Reps Probes

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A Warisan assemblyperson has joined the chorus of voices dissatisfied with the discontinuation of graft probes into businessperson Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak.
This is particularly amid a perceived lack of action against politicians involved in the Sabah mining licence scandal.
Elopura assemblyperson Calvin Chong expressed concern over the manner and speed at which MACC has handled its investigations relating to the scandal, and drew comparisons between the now-closed probe into the former aide to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the ongoing investigations against eight state assemblypersons.
“How can MACC conduct an investigation and conclude that no charges can be brought against Farhash in such a short period?” Chong (above) questioned in a statement last night.
ADS“The speed of this matter is striking, especially when compared to the ongoing case involving eight assemblypersons and the state speaker. (The latter) case, despite having been public knowledge for a considerable period of time, has yet to see any meaningful progress or updates from MACC.”
Chong asserted that such a stark contrast raises serious questions, including why the probe into Farhash was concluded “so quickly” while the case involving multiple elected representatives continues to drag on “without a clear outcome”.
“Is MACC applying a consistent standard of investigation to all parties, or is there an appearance of double standards depending on the individuals involved?
“MACC is urged to explain the disparity in its approach and provide the public with regular updates on the ongoing Sabah assemblypersons’ investigation,” he pressed.
Yesterday, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the case involving Farhash has been closed.
Azam said the anti-graft agency had submitted its investigation papers on the matter to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), which then determined that no criminal charges could be brought against any party.
On July 21, online portal MalaysiaNow linked Farhash to a mineral exploration licence scandal in Sabah, with the news portal uploading an audio recording allegedly showing that Chief Minister Hajiji Noor had voiced support for a company linked to Farhash.
Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd’s (SMM) board, which Hajiji chairs, subsequently denied that any company linked to Farhash was granted a prospecting licence for minerals across a massive forest reserve in the state.
Farhash also dismissed the report as fake, slapping MalaysiaNow with a legal letter and lodging a police report against the portal.
Probe into Farhash questionable
Chong further argued that the integrity and transparency of MACC’s investigations into Farhash are questionable as the graft busters have “done everything in absolute silence”.
Businessperson Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal MubarakIn particular, he pointed to Azam’s assertion that all parties involved in the probe were summoned by the commission.
ADS“Who are the parties? Do remember that this case involved an audio recording of the chief minister (Hajiji) giving such direction to SMM for such approval, and to date, the chief minister has yet to make any public comment or declaration towards the audio recording.
“Did MACC ‘invite’ the chief minister for the investigation? Where’s the transparency? Without transparency of findings, how can the public accept that this investigation was not influenced by political proximity?” he asked.
Previously, Muda emphasised that MACC and the AGC will only be respected once they dare enforce the rule of law without fear or favour.
As such, they claimed that the public may see the discontinuation of probes into Farhash as “yet another episode of ‘washing hands’ to save those within the Madani government’s political network”. - Mkini

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