KUALA LUMPUR: The issue of misappropriation of funds in Sabah has “long been an issue”.
In welcoming the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation into the alleged misappropriation of federal funds meant for the underprivileged in Sabah, Tenom member of parliament Datuk Raime Unggi said “some elected representatives” had become blind to the issue.
He said he had spoken about such issues at length in the media as well as other platforms.
“The MACC has finally responded to it and are trying to clear my state of the people that were supposed to help in developing the state but instead were stealing from the people. I am thankful that MACC has shown its courage in fighting corruption in the country,” he said in a statement.
Raime said, if not because of corruption, Malaysia would already be at the same level as Japan, South Korea and other developed Asian nations.
“I hope MACC will continue to be sterner so that Sabah and Malaysia will be free from corruption.”
Raime said MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad had lately often been attacked by politicians, both from the government and opposition.
“I wonder why? Are they becoming restless with the aggressive approach taken by the MACC or because they are too powerful that no one can question their misconduct?
“As for the opposition, the on-going efforts taken by the MACC seem to be meaningless to them. They only choose and focus on what they can politicise for their own political agenda,” he said.
He said, as Malaysians, everyone must support MACC’s efforts in combating corruption and abuse of power and not criticise them for taking action.
Yesterday, Parti Warisan Sabah vice-president Datuk Peter Anthony, a former secretary of a division in the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and a businessman were arrested in connection with the investigations into the alleged misappropriation of money meant for projects for the poor in Sabah.
Their arrest came after MACC swooped in on 15 locations in Sabah and froze bank accounts containing more than RM150 million several days ago and a further RM29 million later.
It was reported that MACC investigators also confiscated documents, financial statements from several companies and cash in various denominations.