Syndicates pay enforcement agencies up to RM5m to avoid action: MACC

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today revealed there were syndicates in some states paying certain enforcement agencies between RM2 - RM5 million a month to prevent them from taking action.
These syndicates, said MACC Chief Commissioner, Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad were either involved in drugs, illegal money lending, gaming or prostitution.
"This is why it is sometimes difficult for us to work together with certain other enforcement agencies to crackdown on these syndicates. Some personnel from these agencies are under the syndicate's payroll and because of this, we cannot work together," he said.
However, he warned that the MACC was aware of this and was in the process of gathering intelligence before coming down on those involved.
"Be assured. We will hit them and hit them hard," he said, adding that he had recently asked the Dewan Negara to urge the government in declaring corruption as the nation's number one enemy.
Speaking during a meeting with editors from various media organisations here, Dzulkifli said unless enforcement personnel were free of corruption, the menace could never be weeded out.
"What is the point of us having laws when those enforcing it themselves are corrupt ... it will not solve anything," he said.
He also stressed that there were no "untouchables" as far as corruption was concerned and that the MACC had no issue about going after politicians who were corrupt.
"If they (politicians) are criminals, they are criminals ... we are even aware that there are those who have abused their power in the name of royalty. We know how to handle this," he said.
He also said with the general election looming, the MACC would be making an announcement to all political parties to ensure their candidates were free from corruption and any abuse of power.
"Political parties on their part must be responsible and not just pick a candidate based on popularity, but one that is "clean". They are going to be the peoples' representatives and they should not cheat the people into voting them," he said.
He said the MACC had also received complaints that certain allocations from the government never reached those on the ground despite them reading about it earlier.
"I want the MACC to be seen not as a government agency, but as one for the people. We work for the people and we will ensure such allocations reach the people and do not simply disappear.
"Just be patient. We will go after the big fish as well and not just the "ikan bilis", he said.
Dzulkifli also announced the formation of an Anti-Corruption Media Caucus (ACMC) which he said would be instrumental in assisting the commission fight corruption.
"It is our vision, within the next three years, to create a society that can stand up against the corrupt. We want society to reject politicians and political parties who are corrupt. Then, we will be able to see major positive changes," he said.
He said the media could play their role as being a channel between the MACC and the people, whereby those who were afraid to come directly to the MACC with their complaints, could go to the media.
"Next week, we will launch "Ops Gerah" (Gerakan Revolusi Anti-Rasuah), which is an operation to put more pressure on the corrupt.
"Under this operation, we will organise more crackdowns and use every law and avenue possible to put the corrupt behind bars," he said, adding that it was the MACC's target to ensure one conviction and investigation every week.
He also announced that the MACC would be celebrating their 50th anniversary on Oct 1 and would also be relocating to their new building, also in Putrajaya in July.