Political researcher Shafiq Abdul Halim has been arrested for blocking the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s investigations, its chief Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed today.
Azam told a news conference in Putrajaya that Shafiq was arrested yesterday under Section 48 of the MACC Act 2009.
“He came to our headquarters after being summoned and was arrested at 3.30pm yesterday,” Azam was quoted as saying.
Shafiq was reported as a freelance researcher working for Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan, who yesterday stepped down from his position as Bersatu information chief following his bribery charges two days ago.
Shafiq had previously accused MACC investigators of offering Wan Saiful a RM10 million bribe in a plot to implicate Bersatu president and former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Shafiq has since apologised for his TikTok video post in which he purportedly made the remark and claimed he did not mean to accuse anyone.
In a Facebook post yesterday, he added that the video had been edited by pro-Pakatan Harapan cybertroopers.
Azam said that he does not accept Shafiq’s apology.
“Even though he has apologised but I am standing firm with this.
“Where can I get RM10 million to pay Wan Saiful?
“His statement has resulted in a lot of speculation over the commission. These (aspersions) will remain there (online) and can’t be removed. Many will still believe it (the accusation),” he said.
Azam also believed that the man’s apology was insincere.