Probe on 'VIP' for graft
04 Mar 2007
Farrah Naz Karim, Lee Shi-Ian and Fadhal Ilahi Abd Ghani NST

* Senior politician alleged to have taken bribes involving millions of ringgit.

* He’s alleged to have abused his power by getting three organised crime detainees released.

PUTRAJAYA: The Anti-Corruption Agency is investigating a senior politician who is alleged to have taken millions of ringgit in bribes for helping to free organised crime detainees held under the Emergency Ordinance.

Investigations director Mohd Shukri Abdull said the probe started last week, immediately after the agency received an anonymous letter alleging the improper release of three men suspected of being in a secret society and other illegal activities, including loan sharking, extortion, prostitution, assault and gambling.

An anonymous website has made the same allegations, saying that detention orders applied for the trio by the police had been revoked upon payment of more than RM5 million.

"His abuse of power must be seen to have interfering (sic) police investigations and a larger extent had also jeopardise (sic) police effort to maintain peace as well as law and order in the country," the writer said.

Shukri said the "VIP" was under investigation along with another "insider".

"We are working closely with the police on the allegations."

It is learnt that the subject is a deputy minister, although Shukri refused to confirm the identity of the individual named in the website.

When contacted, a special officer to the politician said a meeting to "clear the air" and answer the allegations would be held with the Press tomorrow.

"Please do not speculate as the politician is aware of the allegations on the website," the officer said.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan declined to comment on the probe, saying it was a case of corruption.

At Press time, it was learnt that police were trying to ascertain if the three men had indeed been freed from detention.

Asked in Pekan about the allegations, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said they must be investigated without fear or favour.

"I am confident the police will investigate and take action against anyone who has committed such a criminal act.

"A criminal is still a criminal, no matter who he is. We will not let him escape punishment."