Govt to probe AG, EC, MACC for corruption and other abuses (Updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government will be investigating government agencies and its heads for alleged corruption.
Commenting on the potential axing of government agency heads, Mahathir stressed that those who are found to be corrupt will be dealt with, in accordance with the law.
Among those he intends to probe include, Attorney-General (AG) Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali, Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah, as well as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
"Our intention is to go for people who have shown a tendency to be corrupt or who have committed known corrupt acts," he told reporters at Yayasan Al-bukhary, following the Pakatan Harapan (PH) presidential council meeting.
Commenting on the possible removal of government agency heads, Mahathir had expressed doubts on the conduct of Mohamed Apandi.
"We have to look at who the AG is ... at the moment the AG has undermined his own credibility," he said.
The government, he said, also intends to look at whether the MACC is fair or not as it seemed to ignore the fact that "corruption was rife" during the 14th General Election.
Stating that new heads of government agencies will be appointed by Parliament, Mahathir said if the present ones are found to be biased or in favour of any group including them, there will be change.
Such investigations, he said will be first taken against Mohd Hashim to determine if he is biased or involved in corrupt practices.
Stressing that this was not about revenge, Mahathir emphasised that any action taken against agency heads will be done in accordance with the laws of the country.
"We will have to consult the administrators and the lawyers to find out whether whatever we do is in keeping with the laws of the country," he added.
In relation to the ongoing struggle for certain states to form governments, Mahathir said the federal government will investigate if there is any element of corruption in state assemblies and party-hopping, given there is evidence of some manipulation.
Citing Sabah, Mahathir claimed that Warisan had initially won 35 seats, but after numerous recounts by the EC, this was reduced to 29.
"There was an attempt to get people to cross over by using money, and this is corruption.
"We will investigate this and if we find any evidence of people being paid to cross over, we will treat it as corruption and investigate all these allegations.
"We are not taking revenge but upholding the law. If we find evidence of money being used to get votes, we will move to declare that election invalid," he said, adding that political corruption would damage the country and its democracy.
During the last few days of campaigning, he also alleged that political parties did not give speeches, instead "only money was distributed".