101 projects: Guan Eng fears MACC 'double standard', becoming a political weapon of certain parties

Former Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng today feared that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) would practise 'double standard' and become a political weapon for certain parties.

In a press conference in Parliament today, the Member of Parliament for Bagan said he and Pakatan Harapan (PH) have no problem if the MACC wants to conduct a comprehensive study on 101 projects awarded through direct negotiations.

However, he stressed, the MACC also needs to be fair and conduct a similar study on the direct negotiation projects carried out during the era of Barisan Nasional (BN) and the Perikatan Nasional (PN).

“We are worried that there is a 'between two castes' problem, where the MACC study is only conducted on PH’s direct negotiation projects, and not on projects in the BN and PN era. The failure of the MACC to conduct a study on their direct negotiation projects can lead to negative perceptions between two castes or 'double standard'.

"Hopefully, the MACC can prove that they are not a political weapon of any party by also conducting a comprehensive study on PN and BN, whether there are elements of corruption, malpractice and abuse of power in this matter," he added.

On Monday, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz in the Dewan Rakyat sitting said records have shown the Ministry of Finance when led by Lim Guan Eng previously, has approved the 101 projects through direct negotiations.

However, he explained in certain circumstances, the method of procurement through direct negotiations was allowed with the approval of the Ministry of Finance based on certain criteria such as involving the urgent needs of the country.

MACC in a follow-up statement informed that the anti-corruption body will get a list of 101 projects from the Ministry of Finance which are said to be given through direct negotiations during the PH era.

"A comprehensive study will be conducted to determine whether there are elements of corruption, malpractice and abuse of power in this matter," he added.

Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the way Tengku Zafrul exposed it was as if giving a project through the concept of direct negotiations was an offence and not allowed.

The Langkawi Member of Parliament said the people have the right to get full information on the details of the projects, especially who gets the 'special favours'.