Youngest held for graft only 15: MACC
Published on: Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Tawau: About 54 per cent of the 5,000 cases investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in the country from 2003 to 2012 involved youths, according to MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Mustafar Ali. The percentage showing youth involvement in corruption activities is very disappointing, he said, adding that they fell under the category of those aged between 15 and 40. He said the youngest arrested for involvement in corruption was only 15, while the youngest to be sentenced was 17.
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"This showed that regardless of age, they have thoughts of trying to 'escape' from any wrong doings through corruption," he said during a dialogue with non-governmental organisations and Tawau Youth Entrepreneur Association. Also present were State MACC Deputy Director (Prevention) Hasbilah Mohamad Salleh, Tawau MACC branch Chief Mohd Yusof Awanglah, District Police Chief ACP Awang Besar Dullah and the Tawau Customs Chief Datu Kassim Datu Bangsawan.Mustafar assured that MACC will ensure those involved in corruption will not escape from the law. Earlier, he presented a talk titled "Strategic Ways to Curb Corruption" to an audience of 140 people including youths from various associations, clubs and professions. MACC also conducted two programmes with private sectors in Tawau and local politicians in the district, held at Merotai Besar and Tawau Promenade Hotel respectively.
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Meanwhile, MACC should set a time line to complete the Ops BS that saw 69 bank accounts being frozen to facilitate investigation in Sabah.DAP Sabah organising secretary, Junz Wong said a schedule of traders to be called to assist in the investigation should be done, instead of merely asking them to wait.
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Wong who is Likas Assemblyman, welcomed assurance by MACC Deputy Commissioner (Operation) Datuk Sri Mohd Shukri Abdull that the commission would be professional in the course of the investigations."While the Ops BS was with noble intention, due to the prolonged investigation process of finding out the real smuggling culprits many genuine traders have been affected as well," he said.He also disclosed the names of seven companies involved in various businesses that had its account frozen which came to see DAP stating willingness to cooperate with MACC and hoped the investigation can be expedited in order for their accounts to be released. The companies were Pemborong Asli Jaya Sebatik Sdn Bhd 155420-D, Oriental Mark Sdn Bhd 417479-U, Twin Firm Sdn Bhd, Tawau Kilning & Moulding Sdn Bhd, Glowson Sdn Bhd, Ta Lee Trans Sdn Bhd 1095249-H and Ta Lee Transportation 000001673-T.Wong urged MACC Sabah Chief Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim to set up a special task team especially for traders who were willing to come forward and assist investigations. "If indeed they are found to be genuine traders as they have claimed, MACC should release their accounts so that business operations can return to normal. Wong said these traders claimed that they have actually looked for MACC since May 15 but have yet to receive any instructions or feedback as to how to cooperate and assist the investigation. MACC Investigation Division Director, Datuk Mohamad Jamidan Abdullah had said that simultaneous raids were carried out at 43 locations in Tawau, Sandakan, Keningau, Kota Kinabalu, Labuan and Semporna, resulting in 1,623 accounts belonging to companies and individuals worth RM560 million were frozen. In the meantime, cash and jewellery worth RM1 million had also been seized.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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