The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has pledged to haul up corrupt politicians even if they win in the next general election.

On this note, MACC chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad advised voters to elect leaders who are not tainted, free from elements of corruption and abuse of power.

“I have no personal agendas. I want MACC to be respected and admired. I have not received any instructions from any leader or politician,” he was quoted as saying by Astro Awani.

Dzulkfli was speaking at a meeting with the editors-in-chief of local media organisations at an anti-corruption caucus in Kuala Lumpur.

The chief commissioner, who took over the leadership reins last July, said he would not hesitate to act after the general election because MACC must remain as an agency to protect the public interest.

“When parliament is dissolved (to hold the general election), I will make a strong statement.

“This is because politicians must always be clean. There are those who become corrupt after attaining power,” he added.

Dzulkifli also revealed that MACC has commenced investigations into cases involving politicians, including high-profile matters.

However, he said the commission would not act until the general election process is concluded.

“Investigations have started. But we do not wish to be dragged into politics because every case will become election fodder,” he added.

Over the past months, MACC has been sinking its fangs into various high-profile cases involving politicians and top civil servants.

The latest involved a former Johor exco member and Umno state assemblyperson Abdul Latif Bandi, who was charged with 33 counts of graft involving a total of RM30 million.

He had been accused of aiding the illegal conversion of bumiputera land to non-bumiputera status for disposal at higher prices.

Last week, it was reported that MACC had also obtained an arrest warrant against an Umno politician in Malacca, but has been unable to serve it on him.

The politician is said to be linked to Malacca Chief Minister Idris Haron.

Although its crackdown has won praise, MACC however continues to draw brickbats over its drama-laden investigations concerning Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, 1MDB and SRC International.

In January 2016, attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali had cleared Najib of any wrongdoing, but detractors continue to raise allegations related to the probe and cite the 1MDB-linked investigations in several countries.

The authorities have denied a cover-up in the matter, while the prime minister has also dismissed allegations of abusing public funds for personal gain.

The allegations have been blamed on those conspiring to topple Najib from power, such as former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.