Datuk Abu Kassim Mohamed was sworn in as the new Chief Commissioner of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission today. Congratulations.
The question is whether Abu Kassim can redeem the reputation of MACC, which has plunged to the lowest ebb ever plumbed by its predecessor, the Anti-Corruption Agency, in its 41 year history from 1967-2008 – a most adverse reference and comparison.
There are two simple things Abu Kassim can do to demonstrate that he will lead a MACC which is independent, non-partisan and professional gaining national and international confidence and recognition as a fore-most world graft buster in the league of Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), viz:
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To direct MACC officer Raub Ghani to drop the baseless police report he lodged against Thai pathologist Dr. Pornthip Rojanasunand for allegedly “leaking” information to unauthorized people on the forensic report on the second post mortem on Teoh Beng Hock on Nov. 22; and
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To ask the Selangor police to drop baseless investigations against Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng and DAP Selangor State Chairman and Selangor Executive Councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah in connection with the Teoh Beng Hock inquest so as not to compromise public confidence in the independence, professionalism and integrity of the MACC.
Is Abu Kassim capable of doing both?
#1 by ktteokt on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 1:59 pm
Dogs will be dogs! MACC dogs are only loyal to UMNO bums who make a mockery out of the legal system in Malaysia!!!
#2 by sightseeing on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 2:36 pm
Aptitude test for the position of MACC Chief Commission:
1. To direct MACC officer Raub Ghani to drop the baseless police report he lodged against Thai pathologist Dr. Pornthip Rojana
2. To ask the Selangor police to drop baseless investigations against Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng and DAP Selangor State Chairman and Selangor Executive Councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah
Abu Kassim, you have 48 hours to complete the test. Performance Now.
#3 by son of perpaduan on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 2:40 pm
Abu Kassim is just another dog who need a master too. How can he refuse his owner. Uncle Lim, why don’t you ask yourself this question if you own a dog?
#4 by Jeffrey on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 2:50 pm
What Datuk Abu Kassim can do to redeem the reputation of MACC is to make sure MACC does it job of investigating without fear or favour the corrupt no matter their position or rank or connections – and perhaps, unlike his predecessor, have an open mind about what caused TBH’s death, and if the Inquest determines it to be homicide, to extend his cooperation to police investigating that case at MACC.
Such an investigation, expected by us to be independent, assumes that there is not – and ought not to exist – any symbiotic relationship subsisting between MACC as an institution investigating principally corruption and Police as the other institution investigating other offences….
In the premises it would not be right to suggest that the new MACC chief, Abu Kassim “to ask the Selangor police to drop baseless investigations” against Lim Guan Eng and Ean Yong Hian Wah in connection with the Teoh Beng Hock inquest.
For the Selangor police would ask what’s the business of MACC or its chief to interfere in something within the police jurisdiction that has nothing to do with MACC???
In what way MACC has more right to tell Selangor police what to do or not do, more than (say) PR’s Selangor State government?
After all we do expect the Police to uphold at least nominally its claim to independence, non-partisanship and professionalism un-beholden to any side, whether government, ruling coalition or opposition coalition – and MACC as well, given that police and MACC are not supposed to be in any symbiotic relationship, don’t we?
Neither should we suggest to Abu Kassim “to direct MACC officer Raub Ghani to drop the baseless police report he lodged against Thai pathologist Dr. Pornthip Rojanasunand” – unless it is certain, as a fact, that it was Abu Kassim himself or the MACC itself or someone holding senior position within MACC that officially first directed or sanctioned Raub Ghani to lodge the report in the first place (in which circumstances of such nature only it will behoove Abu Kassim himself or the MACC itself to prevail on retract MACC officer Raub Ghani to retract).
In all other circumstances, Abu Kassim as MACC boss has no right to use his position to prevail on MACC officer Raub Ghani to retract his report, as it would constitute an extraneous interference of the officer’s individual or personal right or decision to lodge a report, no matter how misconceived that exercise of right or decision may be.
What is here to say that after such a misconceived report has been lodged, the police will necessarily investigate, using it as an excuse to harass?
However if the police were to actually do such a thing, without proper exercise of discretion, the proper party against whom to direct protest against the harassment is then the police themselves (directly). (This is a far cry from urging the new MACC chief to prevail on his subordinate to retract a report earlier lodged by the latter).
It may not come to this ie invsetigation/harrassment of Dr. Pornthip Rojanasunand particularly.
If I were not mistaken in todays news broadcast over radio Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar was reported to have said that only those who leaked the 2nd autopsy report prematurely would be investigated – not the Thai pathologist specifically that carries all the negative implications of an on-going subterrantean agenda to subvert the truth by discouraging her from testifying.
#5 by Onlooker Politics on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 2:52 pm
The two test questions are just too tough for Abu Kassim to provide the satisfactory answers.
Firstly, MACC officer Raub Ghani must have lodged a police report in his personal capacity and not in the capacity of MACC. If Raub Ghani acts as a person, it is certainly inappropriate for Abu Kassim to force Raub to repeal his early decision of lodging a police report against Dr. Pornthip, lest people will accuse Abu Kassim for abuse of official power.
Secondly, MACC Chief Commissioner has no direct control whatsoever over the police force. How is Abu Kassim going to give instruction to the Selangor police for dropping baseless investigations against Lim Guan Eng and Ean Yong Hian Wah? Are the Selangor police going to listen to Abu Kassim? The answer is “No”. The Selangor police don’t take order or instruction from Abu Kassim since Abu Kassim is no IGP!
Perhaps we should ask Abu Kassim to impose disciplinary code of ethics to his subordinates in MACC in order to stop all the MACC officers from getting involved in the interference or intervention of gutter politics by harrassing the witnesses and impeding the carryout of due process of law in the coroner court!
#6 by a-malaysian on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 3:01 pm
Right from the top, Najib and down to all the institutions, take for granted for too long that they are in power to do whatever they like because they are elected by the people and given the mandate. There is no point in calling them to act fairly or perform their duties according to the constitution, its just like commanding a dog to fly. The only way is to change the whole government but sadly we still have 1Malaysian zombies following blinding and keep on voting them in…
A Must Read For Those Who Think That Umno/BN Is Still The Best – Pt. 2
GE 13 – Change The Federal Government No matter what, we must ensure that racist umno bn do not regain the power like they had for over the past fifty two years.
#7 by Onlooker Politics on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 3:05 pm
“Abu Kassim is just another dog who need a master too.” (son of perpaduan)
Calling him a dog may be too hurting. Why don’t just call him a corruption watchdog? At least that will give him a good impression on DAP on the first day of his assume the duty of MACC Chief Commissioner!
#8 by rahmanwang on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 3:09 pm
Birds with the same feather flocks together.I don’t see any changes with the changing of guards at MACC.As long as the head is from BN run government nothing will change.Pakatan run states just don’t be distracted with politics and run the states to your utmost best.NIKE motto.’Just do it’.Leave the GE13 to the rakyat.We will kick these corrupted scums out.
#9 by Jeffrey on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 3:10 pm
If the DAP feels strongly that MACC officer Raub Ghani has lodged a baseless (read rivolous or false) police report against Thai pathologist Dr. Pornthip Rojanasunand, then the DAP itself should lodge a police report against MACC officer Raub Ghani rather than urge newly minted MACC chief Abu Kassim to use his position to prevail on his subordinate officer Raub to retract his earlier report in ostensible redemption of MACC’s reputation…
Besides to ask MACC chief to ask (read prevail on) the Selangor police to drop baseless investigations against Guan Eng & Ean Yong Hian Wah (when such investigations are within police and not MACC’s jurisdiction) is to render the MACC chief beholden to Selangor Police for the favour if the latter does actually accede to such a request from the MACC chief.
It may then be asked – If MACC chief were beholdened to Selangor Police for this favour how is MACC chief to be independent and professional if called upon in the future by dictates of circumstances to investigate alleged corruption on the part of Selangor Police or its officers?
Like I said there are other methods to protest against baseless investigations and harrassment – and that is to scrutinise what Selangor Police does (properly or otherwise) and to apply pressure directly against it than get MACC chief to prevail on it as to what to do or not do.
#10 by son of perpaduan on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 3:44 pm
On Looker Politics;
You are not wrong by calling them whatever dog. My emphasis on dog means to be obedient. Therefore, this watchdog would never drop investigation on Penang CM and Ean Yong lah.
#11 by yhsiew on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 4:52 pm
Is Abu Kassim capable of doing both?
=======================
I believe that Abu Kassim does have the free will to choose what he wants to do.
The warlords in UMNO will ultimately decide for him what he should do.
#12 by HJ Angus on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 5:05 pm
I don’t expect any significant change in any government institution unless there is a change of government at the federal level.
Otherwise all the changes in leadership roles just carry on the “same old, same old” for a government that lacks credibility.
Even the basic necessity of implementing the IPCMC could not be done by the BN government.
#13 by Onlooker Politics on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 5:25 pm
If the CPO of Selangor is so keen on doing the investigation on CM Lim Guan Eng, he may have the hidden agenda of his own personal interest. Perhaps he is just trying to get an opportunity to get much closer to CM Lim in order to build up a close rapport for his future promotion, hopefully by getting the patronage from Guan Eng, when Pakatan Rakyat finally takes over the control of the Federal Government.
YB Kit should not have worried too much about the investigation. According to the Feng Shui teller, Guan Eng was jailed during a time when his ancestor’s feng shui had been interrupted by a digging work being carried out at Penggaram River. However, the feng shui had been magnificiently improved nowadays and it is highly possible that Guan Eng will be able to prosper in the Government Office for at least 20 years. So YB Kit does not need to worry too much about the police investigation on Guan Eng.
Remember: Crisis means Danger plus Opportunity! It is going to be a new good opportunity for DAP to win with a much larger margin by the 13th General Election if Guan Eng is to be interrogated by the Selangor Police!
#14 by lowxinpui on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 6:08 pm
I bet even the british professor findings are similar to Porntip. So, it will be very difficult for him to write a report on the contrary to be credible so as not to jeopardize his own reputation.
#15 by boh-liao on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 6:52 pm
Funny dat d recent death of an individual has become IRRELEVANT 2 most ppl
When someone was supposed 2 uphold justice that could mean life n death
2 preserve, protect and defend d nation’s kon stitution
Dat someone willingly sold his soul 2 d devil n dished out injustice
In order 2 gain titles galore n meteoric rise in d judiciary system
Despite d titles n high position, he earned d right justice fr above
Pancreatic cancer n forever b remembered as [deleted] judge
A disgrace 2 his ancestors n descendants 4 soiling d justice system here
We look forward 2 more evil pariahs fr d dark side going his way
#16 by ktteokt on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 7:14 pm
Scooby-doo had Scooby-snacks! Now in Malaysia, this new MACC chief will be given Ghani-snacks???
#17 by tenaciousB on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 9:07 pm
MCA lauds ‘Alah’ ruling, says no confusion
#18 by tenaciousB on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 9:08 pm
MCA lauds ‘Alah’ ruling, says no confusion
what’s DAP’s stance?
#19 by lee wee tak_ on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 10:09 pm
way to go in attracting foreign talent
when the Malaysian government engage a renowned international forensic expert to clear its agency’s name, the agency’s people lodge a report against the foreign expert.
if I remember correctly from an article in the Sun, a foreign expert associated with the PKFTZ was removed via unconventional method as well.
talk about attracting FDI and foreign and local born talent, this ishelluvaway to do it
#20 by vsp on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 11:01 pm
AG Gani Patail says rank-and-file airmen to be charged for jet engines theft.
———
Pick 4 people, give each 1 million ringgit, allow them to cover their faces throughout the trial and nobody will be none the wiser. Hey Ghani Patail, I volunteer to be one of the scapegoats.
#21 by undertaker888 on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 11:12 pm
these umno pari@h dogs are good for nothing except lodging stupid police reports after reports against the opposition.
there are more pressing issues like missing jet engines, pkfz, crumbling roofs, bala SD, etc but did not see these idi0ts eager to lodge any police reports.
As usual they get ZERO respect from the rakyat. What a bunch of cartoon characters.
#22 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 11:20 pm
YB LKS, u r trying to b really encouraging to Kassim n that is good. It’s also ‘proper’ as u wud not want to b seen as casting aspersions on a ‘fresh’ character until he has proven his mettle. Ok, i respect yr graciousness.
But d public have a mind of their own. Kassim shares the same lineage n DNA as the others in MACC, otherwise he wud not hv been promoted. Being birds of d same feather, i am almost convinced this Kassim is also a no-hoper. So i hv actually written him off. Just look at d MACC police report against Pornthip. That stinks n d stench is coming in Kassim’s wake.
Wud u expect any better. Let’s wake up.
#23 by Onlooker Politics on Monday, 4 January 2010 - 11:25 pm
“what’s DAP’s stance?” (tenaciousB)
This “Al lah” usage issue is no easy controversial issue. MCA may say Justice Lau Bee Lan is right in making a court judgement to preserve the constitutional rights of religious freedom to all citizens. Umno, espcially Mamakthir, may say it is not right because there is no conditional qualification being imposed as a restriction for restricting the circulation of reading materials of Catholicism to the Malay reading Muslims. PAS’s spiritual leader, Nik Aziz, says to discuss among one another about “Al lah” in the conversation such as uttering the word “insyallah” is ok but to preach catholic “Al lah” is not ok!
Since DAP always preaches secularist state to all Malaysians, the most appropriate stance for DAP will be to assert the constitutional rights of giving freedom of speech and freedom of religion to whoever believes in “Al lah” but also to impose limit upon the religion preachers and evangelists in order to put restraint on them restricting them in giving sermon only in a confined building or in a confined stadium without disturbing the peace and tranquility of others.
#24 by boh-liao on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 - 12:07 am
IGP Musa said Augustine was a very experienced judge
“He was a committed person in all aspects of his work n knew d law 2 provide justice.”
Guess what AG n MMK said abt their good fren?
AG busy, said no senior air force officers were involved in d theft of d two F-5E jet engines
Only rank-n-file officers were involved
Wow, pandai betul, our rank-n-file officers, tipu even d minister then NR
Treason #1, jeopardising national security 4 their instant riches
Found guilty, shld face d firing squad (wait, guns may not hv firing pins, sold off too)
#25 by monsterball on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 - 12:31 am
Do that..he will be sacked within 24 hours…for being disloyal to the government and favoring opposition politics.
All are handpicked to protect Najib and UMNO.
#26 by tenaciousB on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 - 1:46 am
What a blow to kementerian kesihatan malaysia when the sultan of kelantan’s family refuted the fact that they agreed for the sultan to be treated at HKL instead they’re confident in keeping the sultan in singapore for treatment. When the Sultan has no confidence in his own country’s level of healthcare why should any malaysian. It’s actually an insult to malaysian doctors!
#27 by copperhead on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 - 2:44 am
Who really is this MACC officer Raub Ghani? Is he a stooge? Will he be called in to testify in court?
#28 by Bigjoe on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 - 8:10 am
OK, so we are done pretending there is still a modicum of hope of independence/reforming the MACC – just to be polite and appear not too cynical.
So now what? What can we expect? They did not get change the MACC at this time for no reason. There is a plan. I am more curious what that plan is. The fact they have not made a big announcement about it is because the plan is covert and uncertain of success. WHAT is the plan?
#29 by k1980 on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 - 8:46 am
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=41762
1Malaysia is equality for all?
Equality for all?
For all?
All?
Then why are Toyol and the rest not invited for “interviews” by the macc and then “found dead” there?
#30 by the reds on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 - 9:55 am
Don’t expect too much from this fellow. MACC is totally a disgrace to all Malaysians! No body, nobody, but UMNO will believe in MACC! Try to put on a survey on the credibility of MACC and see how Malaysians respond……
#31 by son of perpaduan on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 - 11:17 am
Anyone of you watch last night tv3 ” soal jawab ” programme?
Abu Kassim fairly speaking, he deserve and must be given time to prove his capability. From his inner face outlook, his body language, god give nice face, he is the right guy, do you guys agree?
#32 by Motorist on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 - 11:52 am
I watched the TV3 Soal Jawap programme also.
Just switch off the sound & see his body language. His body language was insincere, insolent & arrogant.
Sitting more to his right side, leaning & twisting away from the interviewer.
When he try to make a point, he looks down to the table, then using his hands on the table for emphasis.
His smirk shows insolence & arrogance; not someone who is serious about the issues being discussed.
Sadly he failed to convince me that he will be fair & non partisan in doing his job.
#33 by taiking on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 - 11:56 am
No. Abu Kassim needs to do only one thing. Tell us what had actually happened to beng hock and then act against the guilty parties accordingly. We believe that he knew exactly what went on and led to beng hock’s death.
And of course he wouldnt.
#34 by boh-liao on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 - 12:08 pm
Ai yah don’t u know in Sg there r many doctors who r Malaysians
So sultan in Sg macam balik kampung lah
#35 by Onlooker Politics on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 - 1:28 pm
We are now able to read two different versions of opinions about the issue of “Allah” usage – one from PAS’s Central Committee and the other one from Dr. Mahathir.
It seems that PAS’s version is much more appealing to the majority people, as it holds a much more balanced view than Dr. Mahathir’s version, where Dr.Mahathir has once again exposed his ignorance about the historical development of Abrahamic religions in his blog message!
For PAS’s version, please go to the following blogsite:
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/121120
For Dr. Mahathir’s version, please check out this blogsite:
http://chedet.co.cc/chedetblog/2010/01/kontroversi-kegunaaan-kalimah.html#more
#36 by taiking on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 - 1:30 pm
I thought I saw the storekeeper the other day. I am not sure alright. But he certainly has the typical sort of storekeeper look about him. Anyway, he had ski mask over his head and over a good part of his face. And oh oh oh, he also had one block of klcc strapped to his back. How could anyone missed that? And and oh obviously he was in a great – no no, in a mad mad rush. He didnt bother to thank me even though he knew damn well that I had to make out of the ordinary manoeuvre to let him pass. I mean look, he was carrying a very very very large object, alright! I didnt mean to help him. Well that [deleted] muttered something like “going to argentina” as he passed by me.
#37 by Bigjoe on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 - 1:48 pm
I just want to know this:
WHY is Najib AND Muhiyiddin, both without any real legal expertise, SO CONFIDENT that the ‘ (appeal) courts will resolve’ the issue?
THIS IS CLEAR EVIDENCE THE APPEAL COURT IS A TOOL OF UMNO/BN.. All the Judges of Appeal Court should be investigated for abuse of power…
#38 by Bigjoe on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 - 1:57 pm
By the issue above, I mean the whole ‘Allah’ word ruling by High Court…
#39 by Jeffrey on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 - 2:00 pm
Apologies for being out of topic.
YB Kit,
You should write/respond to what the Atorney General said about “no senior air force officers were involved in the theft from a military airbase in Sungai Besi in 2007” of the two RMAF F5-E jet engines! – [Malaysiakini’s report by Hafiz Yatim Jan 4, 10]
This is implausible. RMAF Military base is a secure area. What kind of outfit are they operating if rank and file could steal and cart two RMAF F5-E jet engines out with impunity???
If security were so lax in a military base what is there to prevent enemies of the state from securing corrupt rank and file for access to plant bombs in the jet planes at the base in sabotage of the nation’s defence system? Isn’t this a case of criminal negligence of higher ups to allow security breach of such nature to occur in extreme threat to national interest?
If the theft occurred in 2007 you mean that they need to take over 2 years to discover this? Does that not mean that in these two years no pilot test -fly the jet plans and no maintenance people maintain these planes for all the two years for otherwise the theft would surely have been earlier discovered?
If thats the way they neglect the planes that are supposed to defend the country’s territorial integrity – what hope is there for a proper defence of the the country’s national security? And why should so much of the Public Expenditures/Taxes go to pay for these defence systems if there were no proper inventory controls?
Worse still if higher ups were in complicity for a sting of such daring proprtion and scale to be carried out.
[There seems to have evolved a national culture to push the buck to rank and file whenever a scandal erupts due to misfeasance, negligence, corruption of senior and higher ups – whether it be the loss of two RMAF F5-E jet engines, the PKFZ cost overruns, the death of TBH or foreign national! In other countries higher ups resign forthwith as a matter of accountability, whereas here they push the blame to rank and file!]
If it were so easy to take out military hardware from a secure base due to lack of inventory controls what is there to stop the hardware being highjacked at source even before it arrives at the secure military base???
For example if we buy planes or submarines from a foreign country what is there to stop the so called low ranking rank and file from selling them to another third country and arrange for these planes and submarines from going direct from the first mentioned to the third country direct whilst the inventory over here registers that they (planes and submarines) have arrived at the base here when in fact they have not? Have you seen the military arms-in-being when they arrive here? Can we check inventory records ? No – because of Official Secrets Act.
So if rank and file can pull a stunt of such magnitude what is there to stop a total hijack and detour (at source) if ever (hypothetically) some higher up general or brigadier were ever involved in complicity in such a bold sting???
I am just extrapolating the situation as logically will result based on such a ridiculous situation of jet engines being in the position to be stolen by rank and file!
#40 by k1980 on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 - 8:40 pm
Only the rank and file are involved in the pkfz scam— no ministers involved.
Only the rank and file are involved in the sudden demise of Altantoo– nobody else involved.
Only the rank and file are involved in the sudden demise of TBH– no senior officials involved.
Only the rank and file are involved in the Scorpene sub commission– nobody else involved
So only the rank and file are involved in running the country?