SERDANG: Graft busters have received information on claims of political protection or patronage in illegal online gambling, says Tan Sri Azam Baki.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner said it had received certain reports and information.
“We will cooperate with the police in investigating the matter,” he told reporters after launching the Malaysia Corruption Watch annual general meeting yesterday.
At the event, Azam said political will was vital in curbing corruption.
Otherwise, he said, efforts by MACC would be futile.
It was reported that Bukit Aman is exchanging information with graft busters in connection with political involvement in illegal online gambling.
Azam also said that the MACC would leave it to the police to probe the case of a suspect who died while receiving treatment at Hospital Putrajaya on Thursday.
“Let the police investigate and ascertain the cause of death,” he said, adding that there was no interference on his part.
Azam had said that the man was one of three people who were arrested for alleged involvement in illegal mining and money laundering in Raub, Pahang.
During the investigation, he said, MACC officers found the man to be unwell and he was immediately sent to the hospital but died while being treated.
On another matter, Azam said investigation was still ongoing on a report lodged in connection with claims that a political party had used gambling money to fund its general election campaign.
“I cannot disclose which political party is involved. We are still investigating,” he said.
On May 30, an individual lodged a report with the MACC and submitted documents, urging an investigation into allegations that a political party had received funds from gaming companies that were also used for the election.
Bukit Aman is working with graft busters to investigate claims of political patronage or protection in illegal online gambling, says the Inspector-General of Police.
Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said both agencies were exchanging investigation information on the matter.
“We have received information of political influence in online gambling activities,” he said.
On Thursday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the Dewan Rakyat that illegal online gambling syndicates were receiving protection from certain politicians, which made it difficult to eradicate the activity.
