KUALA LUMPUR – The move by authorities to probe individuals who carry the title ‘Tun’ should not be misconstrued as motivated by retribution, said an Umno supreme council member.
Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi said that while distinguished individuals have contributed to the country’s legacy, there should be no apology or sympathy extended to them if they have violated the law.
Pointing to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s remark about the difficulties of investigating high-profile figures, Puad said this was not a matter of abrasiveness towards the individuals, but rather allegations of the misappropriation of funds that warrant investigation.
“According to Anwar, investigating those who have Tun status is not an easy task. This is true, not to mention the potential legal repercussions. However, Anwar has affirmed his commitment to pursue those engaged in wrongdoing,” he said on Facebook today.
A member of the Special Committee on Corruption, Hassan Abdul Karim, recently praised the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for its efforts to combat graft in all sectors but expressed hope that the agency would not limit its actions to those who opposed the current government.
In response, Puad said the focus is on the misappropriation of government funds rather than personal vendettas.
“The purpose of the investigation is not driven by vindictiveness, conspiracy, selectivity, or the intent to create a certain perception. It is also to ensure a fair trial,” he said.
“Anwar highlighted that it would be baffling if the people did not lend their support. Even more peculiar would be the silence of PAS, Bersatu, the Bar Council, and (Coalition of Free and Fair Elections) Bersih (2.0).”
Yesterday, Anwar urged the public to support the government’s efforts to investigate top individuals, including those with the title Tun, in connection with the misappropriation of government funds.
“We will go after the crooks, I don’t care…when we want to take action (against these individuals), the people get angry. They say this prime minister is too harsh.
“For me, this is strange. You should support (the investigations). It’s not easy, you know, to investigate a Tun,” Anwar said.
“Investigating a village chief is easy, investigating a school teacher is even easier. I want to investigate the big shots who steal big money…think it’s easy? It’s not.
“We want to protect this country and not let them steal the people’s wealth.”
On January 17, the MACC confirmed that they had taken statements from a former prime minister’s son believed to be related to his business dealings in the late 1990s.
Before that, Tun Daim Zainuddin’s wife, Toh Puan Nai’mah Abdul Khalid, and their two children were at the MACC headquarters to assist in an investigation believed to be related to the former finance minister and businessman.
In December, the MACC seized Ilham Tower in Kuala Lumpur, believed to be connected to a case involving the misappropriation of over RM2.3 billion in state funds, implicating a corporate figure and a former senior minister. – January 21, 2024