THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has started grilling several individuals, including an office-bearer in the Sarawak Cycling Association (SCA), over the BMX track and other facilities used as cycling venues for the 18th edition of the Malaysia Games.
The graft busters have questioned six people, including SCA secretary Zulaihi Seri, since Monday, to ascertain whether there was any element of corruption involved in the venues’ substandard facilities.
Sarawak MACC director Datuk Badrul Shah Norman, who confirmed this yesterday, did not rule out more people being called in for questioning.
“This is true. We have recorded statements from six witnesses, including the (association) secretary, since Monday.
“We will conduct a thorough investigation by calling relevant witnesses as and when necessary,” Badrul told the New Straits Times in a WhatsApp message yesterday. He declined to reveal if the other five summoned to give their
statements were also associated with SCA.
Asked if the MACC has sought assistance or technical advice from other agencies, such as the Public Works Department (PWD), in the probe, Badrul said: “It is one of the options open to us.”
Sarawak PWD deputy director Stanley Chai said the department was unaware of any request by the MACC to facilitate investigations into the case so far.
“Sarawak PWD has not received any instruction or request from MACC regarding the cycling track,” he said.
“I would also like to clarify that Sarawak PWD is not involved in any way in the construction of the facility.”
It was reported that MACC had seized documents related to the organisation of cycling events during the Malaysia Games hosted by Sarawak, which concluded on Sunday.
The MACC had raided the homes of two cycling officials here on Monday.
SCA president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the association would cooperate with the MACC in its probe.
However, Karim, who is also
assistant state minister for youth and sports, said envious quarters could be trying to mar the association’s reputation.
“A lot of nasty and unflattering remarks have been hurled against the SCA that I am beginning to get suspicious.
“Is this the work of disgruntled people who are unhappy because they were unable to get benefits from the association or are they just trying to tarnish the state’s image over our successful feat in organising this year’s Sukma?”