The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) probed 12 politicians from the Barisan Nasional and one from the opposition for corruption from January to August this year, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

umno member investigated by macc sprm Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Liew Vui Keong said seven charges were recorded against BN politicians while there were none against opposition.

Liew was replying to a question by Anwar Ibrahim (PKR-Permatang Pauh) on steps taken to bring back the public's confidence in the MACC, the Royal Malaysia Police and the Attorney General's Chambers following public doubts on the manner investigations and prosecution was done.

Liew said records showed MACC had conducted investigations according to procedures and without being biased.

Concerning allegations of 'selective prosecution' by the MACC brought up by Anwar, Liew said the commission based this on evidence available irrespective of who the person was.

"For cases being managed by the MACC, the decision not to prosecute has to be reported to its Operations Assessment Panel which comprises independent professionals from various fields," he added.

More doctors sought

On another matter, the Parliament was also told that the government aimed to achieve a ratio of one doctor to 600 people by 2020, from 1:1,145 currently.

johor flood 160107 medical doctor attending to child Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai, in responding to a supplementary question by Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PKR-Machang), said the government was aware of the shortage of medical officers in the country and had taken various steps to address the problem.

"One of the problems is the outflow of trained doctors from the government service. Every year, between 200 and 400 doctors leave the government service to join private hospitals," he added.

He said the ministry was now looking into ways to pool the resources of doctors in the public and private sector to work as a team so that the people would get the best medical and health service.

Fate of Bernama TV

Information Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim said the interest and welfare of Bernama TV staff are taken care of despite the financial problem faced by the broadcasting station.

He said that at the moment, some of Bernama TV staff, including journalists and cameramen, was attached temporarily with Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM).

"Bernama TV staff will return to the same company (Bernama TV) with all the terms intact. RTM is only providing temporary assistance until they are posted back to their respective jobs," he said in reply to a supplementary question from Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena) at the Dewan Rakyat today.

NONE Earlier when answering the original question from Halimah Mohd Sadique (BN-Tenggara) on Bernama TV's role and its huge debt, Rais said Bernama TV had found a new partner and would settle all debts.

"The new partner is now carrying a due diligence audit. Bernama TV will continue to broadcast and there won't be any disruption," he said.

He said that Bernama Bhd only had a 33 percent share in Bernama TV, a private company.

"Until Oct 9, Bernama TV's debt is RM16,845,403 in office rental, equipment and outsourcing of human resources with Bernama Bhd," he said.

- Bernama