No need for MACC to wait for report to probe RM90 mil case, say Amanah Youth

Azam Baki (pic) complained no one has filed any report with the MACC

(FMT) – Amanah Youth today said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) need not wait for a report to be lodged to initiate a probe into the RM90 million allegedly paid to PAS leaders.

The party’s deputy youth chief, Faiz Fadzil, says Section 29(3) of the MACC Act 2009 allows the anti-graft agency to act on information on corrupt practices without a written report.

The Permatang Pasir assemblyman said the media had reported widely on PAS’ defamation case against Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown.

“Clare has revealed the details in her defence, which can be accessed by the public.

“These documents can serve as the basis of the investigation as the information that was revealed raises the possibility of corrupt practices,” he said in a statement.

Earlier today, MACC reportedly stated that it could not initiate a probe until a report was lodged.

Last night, Kadir Jasin said the mystery over the money allegedly paid to leaders from the Islamist party should now be investigated by the authorities, following the recent out-of-court settlement reached by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and Rewcastle-Brown.

The media and communications adviser to the prime minister said the truth of the allegations by Rewcastle-Brown, in her article published in 2017, could only be known if police and the MACC open an investigation into the case.

Rewcastle-Brown, in her article published by Sarawak Report, among others, suggested that senior PAS leaders could have received RM90 million from former prime minister Najib Razak.

Hadi then filed his suit at the London High Court. Last week, it was reported that the Marang MP had agreed to undisclosed terms of a settlement with Rewcastle-Brown.

PAS leaders said the decision to enter into an out-of-court settlement with Rewcastle-Brown was due to the high legal costs involved, adding that the party felt the millions of ringgit could be put to better use.

Najib also denied that he had paid money to PAS leaders, saying his bank accounts had already been scrutinised by authorities after his fall from power in May last year.

“If it’s true that there had been payments from me or Umno, the Pakatan Harapan government would definitely have taken the opportunity to freeze the bank accounts of PAS and its president.”