MACC chief defiant against personal attacks

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad has vowed not to give in to what he described as "dirty and despicable" personal attacks against him.
He vowed that both he and the commission will continue to fight graft without fear or favour to ensure the country is clean and free from corruption.
Dzulkifli's statement came in the wake of allegations that he was embroiled in an extramarital affair, with a video making its rounds on social media, purportedly showing him with a woman.
The video, that went viral on Oct 14, shows a man resembling Dzulkifli with a woman in Bali, Indonesia, purportedly after his working visit to Jakarta in July.
In an interview with TV3 on Tuesday, Dzulkifli said the allegations were made to tarnish his reputation and to discredit MACC's efforts in combating corruption.
"We will not bow to pressure. We will continue to carry out our duties and responsibilities to ensure that the country is rid of those who are involved in corruption and power abuse. We will not be pressured and subject ourselves to these kinds of attacks," he said.
"My colleagues and I will do our best in our roles and will not be affected by these dirty and despicable attacks," said Dzulkifli, adding that he has spoken to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun about the matter and had been given assurance that the police will take action.
On Tuesday, Muhammad Fuzi said police are investigating a report lodged against Dzulkifli on the alleged extramarital affair under Section 498 of the Penal Code for enticing, with criminal intent, a married woman.
"If we have to make arrests, we will," he said, adding that MACC has not made a police report as yet.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak had on Tuesday urged Dzulkifli not to allow such tactics to undermine him and his duties, claiming that "as a senior and high-profile public servant, being subjected to attacks comes with the territory".
"The more you do your job, the more you will suffer attacks. If they can use you, then you are a godsend. And if they cannot use you, then they will go to any length to discredit you, humiliate you, tarnish your image and destroy your reputation with lies, slander and fabricated allegations," Salleh added.
Umno supreme council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi said the video was released by irresponsible parties who may have started to feel the heat following MACC's aggressive action against corruption.
Puad said the dissemination of the "defamatory story" was aimed at hindering MACC from pursuing certain cases involving prominent political figures.