KUALA LUMPUR — An opposition MP is to ask the Prime Minister if the government is prepared to take legal action against an international news agency regarding allegations of interference in Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) investigations.
According to the Dewan Rakyat Order Paper on Parliament’s website, Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) will ask this question, which is number two on the list during the Minister’s Question Time.
Ahmad Fadhli’s question states that the allegation is deemed to have tarnished the Prime Minister’s image in the fight against abuse of power and corruption.
US-headquartered Bloomberg published on September 26 an article quoting sources who claimed that the MACC had been investigating Anwar’s “adversaries” while not probing the “share purchases by one of the prime minister’s allies.”
It named former prime minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and Daim, as well as their family members, as among those the MACC was investigating, supposedly at Anwar’s behest.
MACC and the Prime Minister’s Office have both denied the claims in the report.
Police have said they will question representatives from the news agency over the report, while former Umno supreme council member Isham Jalil is under investigation for criminal defamation after repeated urging Anwar to take action against Bloomberg.
Other questions in today’s Dewan Rakyat Order Paper meanwhile, will touch on Malaysia’s preparations and roadmap as ASEAN Chair in 2025, particularly in the context of economic and current geopolitical challenges.
This matter will be raised by Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (PH-Gombak), who will also ask the Prime Minister about the outcomes of Malaysia’s participation in the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits from Oct 8 to 11.
Bernama reports that also of interest is Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah’s (BN-Paya Besar) inquiry during the oral questions and answers session, asking the Minister of Economy how the government plans to stimulate growth in the high-skilled sector to absorb the increasing number of highly qualified individuals entering the job market.
Following the questions and answers session, the sitting will continue with the tabling of two bills for the first reading, namely the Supply Bill 2025 by the Minister of Finance and the National Wages Consultative Council (Amendment) Bill 2024 by the Minister of Human Resources.
Additionally, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department will propose that the Dewan Rakyat supports the government in ensuring that the findings in the Auditor-General’s Report and the recommendations in the report are taken seriously by the relevant parties to prevent recurring weaknesses.
The Dewan Rakyat will then resume the debate on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024, which among other things, seeks to lower the age for applying for citizenship from 21 years to 18 years.
The Third Meeting of the Third Session of the 15th Parliament will convene for 35 days until Dec 12. – October 15, 2024
