DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang has questioned what Putrajaya will seek to achieve by playing host to a high profile international anti-graft conference in September as it grapples with its own financial scandal.
He said this in reference to the 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) amid claims that almost US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) in public funds was deposited into Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's personal bank accounts as reported by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
Najib is listed as among the "inspirational leaders and experts who will set the tone" at the IACC plenary debates themed "Ending Impunity: People. Integrity. Action".
"What type of an example of 'Ending Impunity: People. Integrity. Action' Malaysia can present to the world and some 800 international participants who will attend and be engaged in plenary debates and workshops on ending impunity for corruption?
"Or is Malaysia to present a live example as to how difficult or even impossible in a country like ours to end impunity for corruption, unless there is a total change of government?" Lim said in a statement today.
He said this is in light of Malaysian authorities fumbling to ensure a credible and independent investigation on the allegations made against Najib.
For example, he pointed out that Najib, who is an interested party, had not only outlined the scope of investigation for the task force looking into the matter, but its members also reports to him.
"The task force investigating into WSJ report comprising Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar, MACC head Abu Kassim Mohamed and Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail are all subordinate and answer to Najib as the prime minister-cum-finance minister.
"This violates all principles of natural justice," said Lim.
Place investigators under Muhyiddin
Yesterday, Najib said the task force will look into whether WSJ claims against him had basis and will also determine the authenticity of the documents it used to make the allegation.
WSJ claimed the documents were from Malaysian government investigators.
"Instead of pioneering world’s best practices to end impunity for corruption which could be showcased in international anti-corruption conferences, we are doing the exact opposite like having a task force or an anti-corruption investigation that answers or reports to the accused," he said.
Lim said Najib must go on leave to ensure a credible investigation.
This will automatically place the investigators under Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's ( photo ) purview, he added.
"If not, the International Anti-Corruption Conference in Putrajaya on Sept 2 should be scrapped altogether, as if Malaysians are not ashamed enough about rampant corruption and rampant impunity in the country," he said.
