Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Latheefa Koya today revealed that the anti-graft agency has received 20 complaints with regards to bribery involving judges from the Sessions and Magistrates courts.
“We have received 20 complaints involving judges and the court officers regarding cases involving bribery and corruption.
“We are in the midst of investigating these allegations and I cannot divulge anything beyond this,” Latheefa told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today during the launch of Integrity Day.
When pressed further, Latheefa said she can’t reveal how many judges or officers of the courts are involved as some of the suspects have multiple complaints lodged against them.
She said MACC have not opened any investigation papers yet as they are currently checking on the validity of the complaints.
“Some judges have multiple complaints against them, and it also could involve others.
“It does not mean they have been questioned because sometimes complaints come from people who have lost cases and they’re upset and claim the judge is biased,” Latheefa explained.
“For now, we can’t open any investigation papers as we need to check to see if the complaints are valid and I can’t divulge who made these complaints.”
Latheefa described the complaints as worrying, saying she hoped the number would drop sharply in future.
“This should continue until the Malaysian judiciary is free of corruption,” she said.
Latheefa was also asked on the updates on old cases, particularly the probe MACC had opened against PAS for allegedly receiving RM90 million from Umno and a PAS leader who allegedly received RM3.5 million.
To this, the former human rights lawyer said she was still in the process of reviewing MACC cases, something that she had been doing since she took over as MACC chief commissioner in June.
“Like I have said before this, after I was appointed, I am in the process of reviewing a list of cases, to see their status.
“There are cases deemed as matters of public interest, there are those that involve dignitaries and such.
“I have to review all these cases. There are some which are in the stage to be charged already. So, we wait and see,” she said.
Meanwhile, Integrity Day was launched by Chief Justice Tan Sri Tengku Maimum Tuan Mat, the Chief Justice of Malaysia.
She said it’s imperative to raise awareness on integrity to ensure everyone, especially the judiciary, observe a high level of honesty in conducting their day-to-day duties.
“Judges and lawyers must make sure they are honest, are free of political affiliations, have no debts and not involved in any law firms in order to conduct their duties without prejudice.
“They should also declare their assets periodically in order to maintain that high level of integrity that they’re duty-bound to do,” she added.