Following is an article published by NST Online complete with responses by TTF (in blue):
KUALA LUMPUR: Political parties do not need to use Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to screen any individuals seeking join their organisation.
MACC Commissioner, Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull said such screening of individuals by the graft busters was only necessary when it involves matters involving promotion, appointment to certain posts, early retirement and election candidates.
“The MACC had never conducted screening for candidates who jump parties.
“In my view, it is not appropriate to use the MACC to screen those who are seeking to jump to new parties, he told NSTP.
TTF: Wait, I’m confused.
On the 30th of October 2018, Mahathir said:
“We don’t make deals with criminals.
“We have stipulated that the conditions for joining Bersatu is for them (UMNO MPs) to leave Umno, become independent for a period of time and then apply to become a member of our party.”
Would that not require vetting by the MACC to determine if they are criminals?
He was responding to the statement by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) secretary-general Datuk Marzuki Yahya who said that the application to join Bersatu from former Umno members may take between one month to one year before it could see a decision.
Marzuki said such a screening process would need to be carried out before Bersatu could give a decision on whether the application for an ex-Umno meber to join the party is accepted or rejected.
He said the screening process includes referring the ex-Umno individuals to authorities such as the MACC and police to vet them for graft ir other offences, before they re admitted into Bersatu.
TTF: Ah, there you go.
Dato’ Marsuki Yahya has said it.
So why is Shukri against screening the MPs?
Why would the MACC object to the screening if it is done in good faith and to weed out corruption?
Actually, can the MACC even object to screening requests if it is agreed upon by all parties?
Under what authority did Shukri issue his statement of rejection?
Come to think of it, was it an outright rejection or merely a matter of his opinion?
Shukri adds that any individual who had been implicated with any corruption or criminal offence would definitely have court records to back this.
“So there is no need for them (Bersatu) to refer it to the MACC.
“Even politicians always talk about ‘not guilty until being proven guilty'” he added.
TTF: Is it even Shukri’s place to issue such statements?
Has PPBM even entered a formal request to the MACC to screen potential UMNO MPs seeking to join the party?
Isn’t Shukri’s demeanour tantamount to interference by the MACC into PPBM’s affairs?
Source: NST Online
