Lodge report if MACC probes leaked to media, says deputy minister

Individuals can lodge a police report if details of ongoing investigations with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) leaked to the media.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Ramkarpal Singh said the anti-corruption agency does not permit disclosure of information as it is a crucial component of investigations.

"But if there are leaks, this can be addressed by making a police report so that it can be investigated," he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

The law minister said this in response to a question from Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan (PN-Bersatu), who raised concerns over local media reports disclosing investigation data by citing anonymous sources within MACC.

Wan Saiful said this could undermine the integrity of the anti-graft agency as it involves information from ongoing investigations.

"I have experience dealing with MACC, and I think this is one thing that needs immediate attention from the government," he said.

He also questioned whether the information leakage by certain officers at MACC was intentional.

The Bersatu MP then called on the government to rectify these weaknesses, adding that the public must be able to trust that investigations conducted by MACC are transparent and not driven by ulterior motives.

Last year, Wan Saiful was probed by MACC for soliciting and receiving bribes worth RM6.9 million in relation to a JanaWibawa project worth RM232 million.

He was subsequently arrested on those charges.