Friday October 12, 2012

MACC to go mole hunting in Cameron Highlands

By SIMON KHOO
simonkhoo@thestar.com.my

KUANTAN: The state Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will zero in on what has gone wrong “within the Cameron Highlands district office”.

State director Moh Samsudin Yusof said several individuals would be called in to assist in investigations into illegal land clearing soon.

“We would like to find out if there are elements of corruption, mismanagement and leakage of information to outsiders within the district office.

“Action will be taken against those found dishonest in discharging their duties or leaking insider information,” he said yesterday.

On Tuesday, district officer Datuk Ahmad Daud said the authorities were finding it hard to catch the people involved in the illegal clearing of land because district office personnel were in cahoots with the culprits.

He said they suspected someone from within was leaking information to the culprits, resulting in unsuccessful raids.

Moh Samsudin said MACC was keeping close tabs on the situation and urged those who had information of malpractices to submit it to the commission confidentially.

On whether MACC would be interviewing Ahmad, he said MACC was confident the district office would give its full support as part of the investigations.

Cameron Highlands MP Datuk S.K. Devamany and Regional Environmental Association Cameron Highlands president R. Ramakrishnan are among those who are expected to be called up to assist the probe.

In an immediate response, Devamany said that so far, no officers from the MACC had contacted him over the issue of illegal land-clearing in the highland.

“I am ready to assist and meet MACC officers should the need arise. Besides, addressing corruption is part of the main agenda under the National Key Result Areas,” he said.

Tanah Rata assemblyman Datuk Ho Yip Kap said the prime objective of MACC was to combat corruption and ensure transparency as well as accountability.

“Illegal land clearing would harm the environment and might get out of hand if not addressed properly.

“All parties must work hand in hand to preserve the environment for the sake of future generations,” he said.

Earlier this week, Ramakrishnan claimed that illegal land-clearing was happening in many areas in the highlands, namely Mensun Valley, Brinchang, Tanah Rata and Kampung Taman Sedia.

He said such activities started early this year but the situation had worsened over the last four months.

News

Friday October 12, 2012

MACC to go mole hunting in Cameron Highlands

By SIMON KHOO simonkhoo@thestar.com.my

By SIMON KHOO
simonkhoo@thestar.com.my