The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will reopen cold case files involving public interest early next year, said chief commissioner Latheefa Koya.

She said she had given instruction for the cases to be reviewed and MACC had also received several complaints involving the cases.

“I have not been able to find out exactly why (the cases were closed), despite the fact that there was clear evidence and the investigation was already completed.

“At what level that the instruction (to close the case) was issued and so on,” she told Bernama. 

Asked if the public interest cases involved previous government leadership, Latheefa said it involved various cases and not necessarily involved leaders of the previous administration.

Commenting on the recent visit to the country’s border in Padang Besar, Perlis, Latheefa said MACC believed that all relevant authorities had implemented aggressive measures to ensure that the nation’s borders were not porous.

“Safeguarding the country’s borders is not something that can be fixed in a month or two because it involves cooperation of various enforcement agencies.

“At Padang Besar, there should be a focus to improve the businesses there because the area appears deserted. 

"So questions arise, do these traders also conduct businesses elsewhere? Or those who go there are looking for cheap counterfeit goods.

“Personally I think Padang Besar has complete facilities to conduct businesses but there is a shortage of visitors despite the large number of goods sold there.

“I hope the relevant authorities will monitor and find out causes behind the drop in number of visitors there, apart from helping to revive its economy,” she said. - Bernama