Cops, MACC 'strangers' to selective prosecution
The government today rose to the defence of two of its enforcement agencies that have constantly faced heavy opposition attack for their perceived 'selective prosecution'.
The government today rose to the defence of two of its enforcement agencies that have constantly faced heavy opposition attack for their perceived 'selective prosecution'.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abdul Aziz maintained that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the police force carry out their duties regardless of race or politics.
In response to a supplementary question by Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian) in Parliament, Nazri (left) said up to January 2009, 12 politicians from Barisan Nasional were arrested compared to one from Pakatan Rakyat.
"So why are you accusing us of being selective? Is it possible to arrest 100 percent politicians from BN although they did not commit any offence to prove that we are not selective?" he asked.
Nazri, however, did not mention the names of the politicians although repeatedly asked by opposition parliamentarians.
'MACC is colour blind'
The minister asserted that the MACC is carrying out its responsibility to investigate any person involved in corruption "regardless of their race and political differences".
"MACC is colour-blind when it comes to their investigations... but to say that Pakatan is free from corruption, that is quite impossible," said Nazri.
The anti-graft body has come under intense fire following the controversial death of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock.
Teoh, who was working for Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was summoned by the MACC to assist their investigation involving RM2,400 in flag purchases.
Opposition leaders have since compared Teoh's case with that of MACC's 'slow' investigation of former menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo's suspicious purchase of multi-million palatial mansion in Shah Alam.
The opposition has also often criticised the police for being selective when it comes to arresting people participating in rallies against government's policies.
What about ex-mufti's case?
Nazri was later asked whether selective prosecution was also being practised when former Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin was arrested last night by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Jais).
"When you said that there is no selective prosecution in either MACC or the police, now I would like to know whether Mohd Asri's arrest had nothing to do with selective prosecution.
"Did Jais arrest Mohd Asri because they thought he was supportive of the opposition as he was seen with them last night?" asked Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan).
However, Nazri said he had no knowledge of the latest development in Mohd Asri's (right) case.
"What I know is that, we live in a country where whenever we want to talk about religion, we need to get tauliah (credentials). If we don't have that, then we are not allowed to do so.
"But I can assure you that the police do not practise selective prosecution," he stressed.
Mohd Asri was arrested last night for giving religious lessons without authorisation at a bungalow in Ampang.
PKR Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin and PAS assemblyperson for Hulu Kelang Saari Sungib were present during the arrest.
