Nazri is RIGHT

Nazri is right on this. The powers to prosecute must be left only to the Attorney General's chamber and nothing more. And that applies to every other agencies such as Film Censorship, Copyright cases, Health Authorities etc. This is important to preserve separation of powers, check and balance so that the system will not be abused. The right of all man including accused person must be protected.

I thank the Malaysian Insider for the article below:-

Nazri previously announced that the MACC would not be empowered to prosecute its own cases. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 — Hong Kong’s former anti-graft chief Bertrand de Speville has backed Malaysia’s decision to keep prosecution separate from corruption investigations to uphold the separation of powers.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz last month stressed the need for a check-and-balance between the investigation side and prosecution when dismissing calls for such powers for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Only the Attorney-General has such powers in the country.

“I think it shouldn’t,” de Speville replied when asked how important it was for an anti-corruption body to have prosecution powers in the bid to cut graft.

The former head of Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is widely-regarded as an authority in the fight to cut graft. He was in Kuala Lumpur for the launch of his book, “Overcoming Corruption: The Essentials”, republished by the Research for Social Advancement.

De Speville, who has acted as a consulted to some 48 countries, went further by advising against granting the enforcement body further jurisdiction to also take its cases to court.

“Because I believe it’s important in fighting corruption we don’t lose sight of our basic principles of criminal justice and those basic principles say the functions of investigating, prosecuting and trying and sentencing should be kept distinct,” he explained.

“The investigator investigates, the prosecutor decides whether or not to prosecute and the judge tries and sentences.

“It’s very important those three functions are kept separate,” he stressed.

De Speville added that if a graft investigator is alleged of being corrupt while on the job, the matter should be investigated no differently from any other case.

The MACC, modelled after the ICAC, was set up in 2008 to step up the fight against corruption, a crime that was seen as a “white-collar” offence.

Malaysia’s dipping scores over the years in the annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by world graft watchdog, Transparency International, is alleged to have cost the country billions of ringgit in foreign direct investments.

Groups from both sides of the political divide and outside have been lobbying Putrajaya to inject MACC with prosecution powers.

Among the pro-prosecution supporters then were Umno Youth deputy chief Datuk Razali Ibrahim and Bar Council chief Ragunath Kesavan.

A 2009 MACC report noted that the enforcement body only had a 45 per cent conviction rate.

Of the 754 cases that were taken to the lower courts last year, just 79 cases resulted in convictions.

Of the 119 cases that went on trial in the High Court, 77 cases were in the prosecution’s favour.

MACC - Liar Liar Pant on Fire

SO what have you got to say, Mr. MACC

Ean Yong slams the MACC for shoddy investigation

By Neville Spykerman

SHAH ALAM, Aug 26 - Ean Yong Hian Wah today slammed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for not doing their homework before making unsubstantiated graft claims at the Teoh Beng Hock inquest today

During a press conference today, Ean Yong gave reporters folders containing documents as well as before and after pictures of small projects carried out at his constituency which he claims proved the allegations raised by the MACC were unfounded.

The Selangor executive councillor said the documents and pictures are kept at the District Office.

The Selangor DAP chairman pointed out the MACC had raided the District Office and had seized all documents related to how he spent his state allocation for small projects at his Sri Kembangan Constituency.

According to him, the MACC had tendered in the coroner's court today four claims and quotation documents which were unsigned and not stamped, purportedly obtained from Teoh’s computer.

“I have never seen these documents before and they may have been drafts.”

Ean Yong said MACC senior enforcement officer Mohd Anuar Ismail had earlier testified that their investigations revealed the work was never carried out by the contractors involved.

The two claims are from Syarikat Aris and Fizami Construction while the quotations are from MKMN Enterprise and MA Bina Melor Enterprise.

“My lawyer Salim Basir had showed the same pictures, quotation and actual claims to Mohd Anuar during the inquest and he had admitted that he had never set eyes on the documents before.”

According to Ean Yong, upon being shown the evidence Mohd Anuar had to agree and admit to the coroner that the projects were actually completed.

“I want to ask MACC if they are really carrying out a serious, fair and professional investigation,” he said.

“Mohd Anuar, as the investigating officer, should have checked all the documents and pictures before making false allegations in the inquest.”

“This clearly shows that the MACC has a political agenda and are not only refusing to take responsibility for Teoh’s death but are attempting to tarnish the image of the DAP and Pakatan Rakyat.”

MACC Diirector frustrated, SO AM I

The MACC Chief is frustrated. I don't blame him as I myself am frustrated.

I am frustrated because the MACC has chosen to be selective.

So what can now MACC do?

Simple. Just do your job according to the law.

So what is the law? And what are the offences?

Simple.

(1) Khir Toyo's mansion that runs to millions
(2) PKFZ that literally ran to billions
(3) Buah Pala's 3.5 Million land deal
(4) and the many many more.

Now compare that to
(1) the late Teoh Beng Hock's death due to the so-called RM2,000 plus for constituency usage
(2) Hannah Yeoh's RM10,000 for constituency use
(3) Ronnie's aide Wong's RM200,000.00 for constituency projects

Now if MACC wishes to be independent, than make sure the first (1) to (4) be thoroughly iinvestigated and charged those idiots that embazzeled rakyat's money. Don't be an idiot MACC. Because the Rakyat is frustrated,

Director: Suspend probes involving politics

By LOURDES CHARLES

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) director of investigations has suggested that all investigations involving politics be suspended temporarily with immediate effect.

In a fit of frustration, Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdull said he felt that certain quarters were out to tarnish MACC’s image by making vicious and unfoun-ded allegations against the commission, especially against his officers.

“The very people who talk about wanting to fight corruption themselves are creating all the problems.

“Their action in barring their employees from assisting us or coming to the MACC office as well as announcing to the world their people are being investigated and highlighting them in the media is hampering our investigations,’’ he said.

Mohd Shukri claimed that whatever the MACC did was not right in the eyes of certain political parties who kept on accusing the MACC of conspiring with the Government or were being biased and selective in their investigation.

The latest trend of bringing in the media was very worrying as it put additional pressure on the witnesses or suspects, he said.

“When we arrest members from the ruling Government, including ministers, MPs, state assemblymen or businessmen, we don’t see them making a scene or creating a ruckus.”

His suggestion for a stop to all investigation on politically-related cases would mean that the probe on the Port Klang Free Zone controversy would be halted, too.

MACC deputy chief commissioner Datuk Abu Kassim Mohamed said he understood Mohd Shukri’s frustration.

He said investigating corruption cases required discreet and in-depth work and most importantly the cooperation of witnesses.

“We want to combat corruption and if law makers themselves start creating a scene and make unfounded allegations against us, including labelling us racists, then how are we to perform effectively?”

“Our job is to curb and combat corruption and we will continue to do so regardless of the allegations hurled against us.

“To me it is part and parcel of our daily job hazard and we will not let such allegations break or dampen our spirit as we have been entrusted to carry out our job professionally,” he added.

An MACC advisory panel member said it was working under intense pressure.

He said the MACC was under-staffed and under-equipped but overloaded with cases.

So what say you MACC?

Reading the below article make me laugh. Will MACC act? A lot of confession.

Najib’s powerful speech eradicates corruption in UMNO

KUALA LUMPUR — If there was one thing all observers could agree on about Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s opening speech at the UMNO General Assembly for its Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings last night, it was how incredibly moving it was. So powerful was Najib’s oratory delivery that corruption — referred to as ‘money politics’ in UMNO circles — was effectively neutralised and eradicated from the organisation.

“I actually saw corruption dissipate from the hall, it was unbelievable,” said Roziman Musa, a delegate from Perak at the main PWTC assembly hall. “Before Datuk Seri Najib’s speech, money politics and vote-buying were evident in the faces of many of my fellow delegates. But as the DPM began his verbal assault on the corruption within UMNO, everyone was cleansed. Detoxified!”

A casual walk amongst the delegates revealed a cleaner, purer sense of being and an overall spirit of absolute harmony.

“I’m a man reborn,” said Jaafar Hussin, a delegate and senior UMNO member from Pahang. “I, like many of my friends, didn’t think twice about accepting money or contracts in exchange for votes before, but now I am free. I feel the wonderful void which all the corrupt thoughts have left behind. I am at peace with the universe.

“Thank you for the rousing speech, Datuk Seri!” he said, before running barefooted around the hall, throwing flower petals onto the appreciative crowd.

The sense of well-being was shared by every UMNO member nationwide, from top leaders to young members.

“We’re returning all our ill-gotten wealth to the community,” said Datuk Seman Azizuddin, a Terengganu branch chief and businessman when met at a hotel nearby. “My friends and I, who had ammased hundreds of millions of ringgit from our close ties to the administration, will now denounce our corrupt ways and live the life of clean, honest people, thanks to last night’s speech. What Datuk Seri Najib said resonated with the child within our souls, and released us from the clutches of our greed for money and power. We shall now embrace purity, selflessness and spirituality.

“Our crony days are over. Thank God!”

Puteri UMNO member from Lembah Keramat Nina Badariah Ahmad said that she now was more inspired to put her life into the party.

“Before this, I didn’t quite know why I joined, maybe because I subscribed to some of the ideals of the party, but mainly because I was intrigued by the power and potential wealth I could get my hands on,” said Nina. “But Datuk Seri Najib’s fiery speech has sifted all the impure and immoral reasons from the pure. He has killed all that is bad in the party. I am now in UMNO only for the good of therakyat. Go UMNO!”

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, responding to this latest news, indicated that Najib’s speech ‘had rendered the purpose of the Pakatan Rakyat null and void’.

“Oh dear. I guess this is the end of PR,” he said over the phone solemnly. “We went out to the people on the promise of transparency, equality and justice, but now that UMNO is living all those qualities, with absolutely zero corruption, we’re pretty much dead in the water.

“I mean, I guess you can’t win ‘em all. Even I was inspired by his speech; it brought tears to my eyes,” said Anwar, hinting that he’ll be calling for the dissolution of all opposition parties and a mass entry into UMNO, as soon as he can.

In addition to talking about choosing ‘clean and able leaders’ to take the organisation out of its current doldrums, Najib also spoke of UMNO being more IT-friendly and giving more attention to new media. Early reports have indicated that all mainstream printed media would abandon paper and offer their services online and for mobile exclusively, in effect saving trees and making the world a far, far better place for all our children.

It is Definitely Our Business

I wholeheartedly supported my colleagues in PKR and PAS for lodging a report against DAR in MACC.

And I totally disagree with Kota Melaka Umno Youth's banners with the words “PKR Jangan Ganggu Tepi Kain Orang (PKR Stay Out Of Other People’s Business)” as the Ketua Menteri position is definitely the people's business and not exclusive only to UMNO.

Yes he was barred from contesting the Deputy Presidency as he is found guilty by the Disciplinary Board and that is an UMNO matter BUT as the law is no respector of anybody and that there is an element of corruption then he should be investigated by the police or MACC and until he is cleared by the police or MACC, DAR should step down as Ketua Menteri Melaka.

Shouting match at state MACC office (Taken from the Star)

MALACCA: Umno and opposition youth members faced off outside the state Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office after a group from PKR and PAS arrived to lodge a report against Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam.

Six from the group of 20, including complainant Hairiz Nordin, 26, entered the office at noon yesterday to lodge a report against the Umno vice-president for alleged involvement in money politics as the others waited outside.

Thirty minutes later, some 30 youths from Kota Melaka Umno Youth arrived and unfurled Barisan Nasional banners with the words “PKR Jangan Ganggu Tepi Kain Orang (PKR Stay Out Of Other People’s Business)”.

A shouting match ensued between the two groups with more Umno Youth members arriving later.

The situation grew tense with both sides hurling abuse at each other, prompting intervention by about 20 policemen from the Melaka Tengah station, who kept the groups apart until the PKR and PAS youth members exited the building about an hour later.

The groups then dispersed without any untoward incident.

When met later, Hairiz called on the MACC to investigate Mohd Ali based on the findings of the Umno disciplinary board and to determine if he had used public funds during his party election campaign.

He added that the chief minister should relinquish his post if found to have done so.

Meanwhile, Kota Melaka Umno Youth vice-chief Shadan Othman issued a warning to the Opposition not to involve itself in Umno matters.

So is MACC investigating DAR?

So DAR (as he is fondly known) has been deemed guilty of offences serious enough to merit being barred from contesting the coming UMNO elections. In BERNAMA below, it is stated that UMNO Disciplinary Board found him guilty for indulging in money politics.

So the golden question now is, will the MACC initiate any investigation against DAR?

------

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 – While Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam has been deemed guilty of offences serious enough to merit being barred from contesting in the upcoming Umno elections, he will remain as the Malacca Chief Minister.

Deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today hoped Mohd Ali would accept the decision with an open heart.

He also urged him to continue contributing to the struggle of the party.

The Umno Disclipinary Board found Mohd Ali guilty of violating party ethics for indulging in money politics and is prohibited from contesting the post of Umno deputy president. – Bernama

MACC versus UMNO

Like my Malay friends will say "Apa benda ni?".

It was reported in Bernama that 30 members of the Youth and Putera wings of UMNO handed a memorandum of protest to the party leadership on the intervention by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

I don't understand what these idiots are harping about. Maybe corruption and money politics are rooted so much and deep into their system that they don't wish for a cleaning-up in UMNO. They should in fact welcome the investigation and intervention of the MACC and start cleaning the dirt in UMNO.

Though there may be report of MACC brutality made against an UMNO member, let the investigation take place and if found to be true, that officer must be charged in court and trialed. However if the report turn out to be false, then that UMNO member must be charged for lodging a false report. Period.

MACC investigation cannot stop it has to go on.

----- Taken from the Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 — About 30 members of the Youth and Putera wings of Umno tonight handed a memorandum of protest to the party leadership on the intervention by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in party matters.

In the memorandum, the members also protested against the proposal by the chairman of the Umno Diciplinary Board, Tan Sri Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen Tengku Ismail that the party’s wings be dissolved to curb money politics.

The memorandum was handed to Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak and members of the Supreme Council (MT) before they began their their MT meeting at the Umno headquarters.

A spokesman for the group, Zuraidi Abdul Rahim said the establishment of the MACC had resulted in more party members being detained on corruption charges and members of the commission frequently adopted harsh tactics when questioning suspects.

“The formation of the MACC is not to beat suspects when questioning them. Thirty-nine people have been called up for questioning, the number of those remanded is uncertain but two or three people have lodged police reports. We have proof of the incidents through a copy of the police report lodged by a party member which is attached to the memorandum,” he told reporters at the Menara Tun Hussein Onn lobby here.

The police report dated Jan 28, lodged at the Damansara Police Station by an Umno member from Pahang, claimed that he was beaten on the head, kicked on the ribs by an officer, and was forced to strip and roll over on the floor. Zuraidi said he represented about 2,500 party members throughout the country who hoped there would be no intervention by outsiders especially from the MACC on party matters so that the freedom of expression by party members could be revived. Earlier, they had gathered at the lobby to express their protest against the suggestion by Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen and the establishment of the MACC. — Bernama