'Validate transfer of MACC officers' - Tajuddin

A strong reason is needed to validate the transfer of two Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) senior officers to the Prime Minister’s Department.

UMNO MT member, Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said, the public should be given an explanation on the transfer that has certainly raised eyebrows.

“If the officers have done nothing wrong, there is no need to transfer them. However the public feels that something had happened so in view of that, action should be taken on them.

“I feel the transfer is a punishment, but I don’t know whether these two officers had done something wrong; maybe disclosed confidential information,” he told reporters after officiating the Ampang Wanita UMNO delegates’ meeting today.

On Saturday, Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel (CCPP) chairman, Tan Sri Johan Jaafar had urged the reinstatement of the two MACC senior officers immediately.

He had also commended MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull, who had offered himself to take the duo’s place as they had only acted on his orders.

Youth and Sports Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin had also urged for a stop against the ‘intimidation’ and action towards MACC officers.

However Tajuddin said he would stand by the transfer if the officers were found to be guilty of any wrongdoing.

“But if the officers had done nothing wrong, then they should not have been transferred.

“Whatever actions taken must be justified,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had previously said, the transfer of the two senior MACC officers to the Prime Minister’s Department had nothing to do with the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) but was a routine matter by the Public Services Department (PSD).

He said, all civil service officers are subject to orders and circular under the department’s General Order specified by the PSD and signed by all officers upon accepting their appointment.