Bauxite mining: 'Some big names' will be investigated - MACC

No one is spared from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigations in relation to corruption involving bauxite mining, said investigations division director, Datuk Azam Baki.

He said, no parties or individuals are spared from the investigations conducted by the agency and that the latter will conduct continuous probe on any top management personnel or ‘sharks’.

“No ‘small fish’ term is accounted here as this case involves ‘sharks’, regardless their rankings.

“There are ‘big names’ but I’m not going to reveal anything to date as investigation is ongoing.

If there’s any arrests or charges, I will notify,” he said to Astro AWANI, here today.

Azam also stressed that MACC has been prompt in tackling the issue.

“It is unfair to say that we have been procrastinating in taking any action. The agencies in the respective state had not taken any action even a year after it (the state) was reportedly polluted.

“MACC regulation is to curb graft practices. We can’t curb any other activities that are out of our jurisdictions,” he said, adding that the biggest obstacle the agency faces is the cooperation from the public to assist investigations.

“We have received information and complaints from the public, but they are mostly on environmental pollution, I have dispatched my officer to the scene to gather intel on syndicates that are involved in corruption.

“This is a sign to MACC indicating that graft practices are involved especially in this bauxite mining issue.

To date, MACC detained four enforcement officers from the Pahang Land and Mines Office for allegedly accepting bribes from illegal bauxite-mining operators. They were believed to have accepted more than RM100,000 in bribes from the operators.