With only 5 politicians charged since 2010, PKR rep questions MACC’s ability

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested nine politicians since 2010, but only five were charged in court.

The written parliamentary reply from Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Paul Low to Rafizi Ramli (PKR-Pandan), however, did not identify the individuals involved.

The low number of prosecution and conviction rates against politicians showed that the anti-graft panel is "afraid" to take action against them, said PKR Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli.

"It shows how immune politicians are to investigation and that MACC does not want to investigate them," he said at a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

He said MACC had claimed its conviction rates were between 75% and 89% from 2011 to June 2013, but it was not consistent with public perception that politicians, together with law enforcement officers, are corrupt.

"The difference between the conviction rate and the number of politicians prosecuted showed MACC is hesitant and afraid to go after politicians and charge them," he said.

He also said the high conviction rates proved that the commission is capable of gathering strong evidence to charge those suspected of graft in court. So, it does not make sense for MACC to have such a low conviction rate against politicians.

Darell Leiking (PKR - Penampang) said the MACC blamed the Attorney General's Chambers for not proceeding with the prosecution of politicians after investigation papers were handed to them.

"This erodes public confidence in the Attorney General's Chambers in the fight against corruption," he said.

Sim Tze Tzin (PKR - Bayan Baru) said the MACC's performance in prosecuting politicians was substandard in comparison to the Indonesian anti-graft agency which had convicted family members of high-ranking politicians. – November 20, 2013.