DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) has expressed concern over the manner in which the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has recently conducted high-profile investigation against James Chai, a former aide to Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, to assist in an investigation.
Its chief Woo Kah Leong said the anti-corruption watchdog’s actions risked creating a climate of fear among Malaysians due to the impression that enforcement powers may be used in a “selective or intimidating” manner.
“While DAPSY firmly supports the fight against corruption and upholds the independence of enforcement institutions, such efforts must always be underpinned by professionalism, due process, and respect for civil liberties,” he stated.
“The individual currently being investigated is neither a fugitive financier like Jho Low nor a powerful businessman linked to corporate mafia allegations.
“As such, conducting a high-profile investigation against the individual appears disproportionate and unnecessary.”
Woo said as the people are watching closely, MACC should refrain from engaging in political witch-hunting against an ordinary citizen as such an incident risks creating public concern that enforcement powers are being exercised selectively which would erode confidence in the country’s institutions.
“When investigations are conducted in a manner that risks eroding public confidence, the unity government will inevitably bear the political consequences and face legitimate questions from the rakyat,” he continued.
“DAPSY firmly believes that the ultimate goals of anti-corruption efforts must be to strengthen democracy and ensure good governance, instead of weakening it by creating the perception that government machinery is used to pressure or silence individuals.
“This will demonstrate that the unity government is committed to reform and institutional accountability.”
On Wednesday (March 4), MACC issued a public search notice for Chai, who was special functions officer to Rafizi and is currently working in the UK.
Its notice did not specify the reason for summoning Chai, but it follows a recent investigation into alleged misconduct related to a RM1.1 bil government deal with Arm Holdings signed in March last year.
Chai went on to slam the search notice, which displayed the address of his childhood home, calling the move “excessive and potentially defamatory” and appeared to be intended to portray him as a fugitive with something to hide.
He also said the agency’s officers could have reached out to him through his friends or former colleagues in government if it really could not contact him or email or message him on social media.
However, MACC refuted Chai’s claims as inaccurate and misleading while specifically dismissing as “completely untrue” his assertion that the commission had failed to contact him before issuing a notice to trace him.
In a statement on Thursday (March 5), the anti-graft agency revealed that its investigating officers had made several attempts to contact Chai before the notice was issued, and that one officer was even blocked by Chai’s telephone number on WhatsApp on Feb 26.
The agency also said attempts to portray normal investigative procedures as acts of persecution were unwarranted, and that Chai should cooperate with its investigation if he had nothing to hide. ‒ March 5, 2026
Main image: Malaysiakini
