Macc Vetting For Glc Bosses Non Binding Only Covers Active Cases

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Government-linked companies (GLCs) are not required to act on the findings of MACC’s vetting process, the graftbuster has revealed.
In a statement today, the commission said that its integrity screening process is just “guidance”.
“It is not binding,” it said.
Further, MACC also indicated that the vetting process only checks for “active” corruption cases, implying that the GLCs must do their own due diligence, such as checking the MACC’s database of convicts.
The commission made this revelation in responding to questions raised by a PAS lawmaker about Halal Development Corporation (HDC) Berhad acting chairperson Azhari Shaari’s criminal record.
The HDC had, in a statement yesterday, said that MACC vetting when Azhari became a HDC director in 2024 found that he had no record of being guilty of corruption.
Halal Development Corporation (HDC) Berhad acting chairperson Azhari ShaariHowever, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari pointed out that Azhari is listed in MACC’s corruption database after pleading guilty to a forgery charge in 2023.
Responding to Fadhli, the MACC today clarified that it told the HDC at the time of vetting that there were no active investigations or open files against Azhari.
But it did acknowledge that a record of the GLC boss’ conviction is still on its database.
Pled guilty to forgery
In 2023, Azhari - who is also the Shah Alam Umno chief - was slapped with three charges under Section 403 of the Penal Code for dishonestly misappropriating RM440,000 meant for orphans and an Aidiladha korban (animal sacrifice) programme.
He also faced three charges under Section 471 of the Penal Code for knowingly using fake annual general meeting minutes as genuine documents.
While he initially pleaded not guilty, MACC’s 2023 annual report stated that he later entered a guilty plea for one of the forgery charges.
He was fined RM1,900, while RM220,000 was forfeited to the government.
The remaining five charges against him were then withdrawn. - Mkini

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