IPOH: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has handed over the first batch of audio recordings of the alleged leak of information relating to the probe into 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and SRC International Sdn Bhd to the police.
MACC Chief Commissioner Latheefa Koya said part of the recordings of the alleged leak of information from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (A-GC) to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and other conversations had been handed over, while the rest would follow suit.
“We have informed the police and submitted the first round of audio recordings.
“Just wait for the police to open the investigation papers and so forth. What we have disclosed must be investigated,” she said after meeting Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu as part of her first working visit to the state yesterday.
Present were MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki and Perak MACC director Datuk Mohd Fauzi Mohamad.
When asked to comment on claims by Netizens that the recordings were released in time for the Kimanis by-election, Latheefa said it was their right to make such a comment.
On a statement by Najib’s lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, that they were considering initiating contempt action against her and the agency, Latheefa said they had the right to take any action.
At a press conference in which the audio recordings were disclosed on Wednesday, Latheefa said the person who leaked the A-GC information to Najib in 2016 was identified as Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad, who was promoted as MACC chief in August of the same year to replace Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed.
Apart from Najib and Dzulkifli, she also named Najib’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and other people, including two foreigners, a member of royalty and a company chief executive, from the Middle East as those featured and referred to in the recordings.
Nine sets of audio clips, totalling up to 45 minutes and confirmed to have taken place between Jan 5 and July 29, 2016, were received by MACC.
In another development, Latheefa said MACC would place an officer at the Perak Menteri Besar’s Office and the state secretariat’s integrity unit in a month’s time to prevent corruption in the state administration.
Latheefa said the officers were deployed to advise on the process of handling complaints on misconducts and corruption.
She said the proposal to station a senior MACC officer at the offices of menteris besar and chief ministers was to reinforce administrative integrity and curb corruption-related matters at the state government level, adding that the move received a positive response.
“We placed officers in Sabah on Jan 2. Kedah has given its approval and we are in talks with other states.” - BERNAMA