‘Only one person can answer graft-related questions’

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Low delivers his paper at the IACC’s workshop session. Also seen is Datuk Akhbar Satar, Transparency International Malaysia president (second right). — Bernama photo

Low delivers his paper at the IACC’s workshop session. Also seen is Datuk Akhbar Satar, Transparency International Malaysia president (second right). — Bernama photo

PUTRAJAYA: No claim from the government on anti-corruption is credible if the RM2.6 billion that went to the prime minister’s personal bank account is left unanswered, says Transparency International (TI) chairman Jose Ugaz.

Addressing the over 1,000 participants from the world over at the opening ceremony of a three-day International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC), he claimed there was a corruption crisis in Malaysia and only one person could answer those questions – the identity of the person who gave the money, why and where it went to.

“No one can be in Malaysia and not aware of the corruption allegations of recent months and how damaging that is to the country. There is a corruption crisis here.

“As a global anti-corruption movement it is our role to ask questions, to challenge those who abuse their power, to champion those who cannot speak and to engage with those who sincerely wish to change,” Ugaz said to the applause of the participants.

He said the government of Malaysia might have taken many measures and initiatives to tackle corruption, but TI wanted to see more progress.

“That cannot happen while there are unanswered questions about the US$700 million that made its way into the prime minister’s personal bank account.

“In recent weeks we have seen the attorney-general who was critical of the government suddenly replaced, the 1MDB taskforce suspended, investigators at the anti-corruption commission arrested or transferred, and newspaper suspended for reporting on the matter.”

Ugaz said the promises of reform alone would not be able to restore confidence and trust.

He thus called for a fully independent investigation, free from political interference to uncover the truth if the answers from ‘one man’ were not forthcoming.

He said two words from the founding father of the nation, Tunku Abdul Rahman, made at the time of Malaya’s
independence in 1957 stood out for him – honesty and integrity – he believed brought Malaysians together in the fight against corruption.

“I stand here today with you and say this is what the people want from the government – honesty and integrity.

He said that in Brazil where one million people took to the streets to protest Petrobas scandal had seen five politicians arrested and criminal cases brought against 13 companies including the head of the world’s largest construction company.

“TI movement is now working across seven South American countries to uncover how far the Petrobas scandal has spread.”

He said the fight against corruption should be the responsibility of everyone.

During a question-and-answer session earlier, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Paul Low said the prime minister was advised against showing up at the conference due to ‘security’ concerns and the expected ‘hostile’ environment he would face.

“As a minister, I have to advise him because I know the conditions of the meeting.

“I said whatever it is I am going in, if you want to go in, by all means. We advised him in terms of security, in terms of atmosphere, that it’s better for me to take his slot instead,” Low said.