Malaysian MPs warned against accepting bribes to retain power amid political chaos

Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency, the MACC, is on high alert as alliances shift following the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan coalition

A graft investigator warns entrenched money corruption within the establishment could compromise the independence of institutions including the MACC

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Mahathir Mohamad was made interim prime minister this week. Photo: PMO via AP

Published: 3:43pm, 27 Feb 2020Updated: 11:42pm, 27 Feb 2020

Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency and a non-governmental organisation campaigning for clean elections have warned MPs against accepting bribes to secure their positions, as the country reels from political uncertainty following the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan coalition government.

“There is always a possibility of corruption and bribery taking place in exchange for support amid the current political turmoil in Malaysia, and we are not ruling out this possibility,” said Yap Swee Seng, executive director of the prominent Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih).

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Wednesday told MPs it was monitoring the situation.

“Any MP who offers, gives, or receives bribes in any form from parties with vested interest for positions is committing an offence under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009,” Azam Baki, the deputy commissioner (operations) of MACC, was quoted as saying by Bernama.

For now, no such offences involving MPs had been committed, Azam said.