KEPONG MP Lim Lip Eng has commended the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for the recent arrest of Johor Bahru City Council mayor Datuk Adib Azhari Daud following an investigation into allegations of corruption.
The arrest is clear evidence that the culture of corruption has no place in the Malaysian society and that every individual involved in corrupt practices will get their comeuppance, said Lim in a statement today (Aug 11).
“I believe that the MACC is diligent in its efforts to wipe out corruption in the country. However, all their efforts must be intensified as Malaysia currently ranks 57 out of 180 countries in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2020, dropping from 51 last year,” he remarked.
Lim further urged the public to stand up against corruption and report any abuse of power, fraud or corruption to the authorities.
Greedy officials must not be allowed to get their hands on special projects simply because of their influence and reputation, he said.
“We will continue to struggle with corruption just as long as this culture is kept alive. And so, we should all do our duty as Malaysian citizens to not take corruption for granted.”
According to Malay daily Harian Metro, magistrate Mohd Zulhilmi Ibrahim has granted a three-day remand order today (Aug 11) for Adib following an application by MACC.
FMT has meanwhile quoted an informed source as saying that Adib was arrested for allegedly accepting bribes from a contractor to approve projects that had been managed by Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) when he was the mayor from November 2017 to November 2019.
The case is being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ jail and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher. – Aug 11, 2021
