Emulate Mukhriz, MACC panel urges

The Consultation and Prevention Panel of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has urged all menteris besar and chief ministers to emulate Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir in refraining from granting business projects to their family members.

The Panel's chairman Datuk Johan Jaafar said it was the first open statement by a menteri besar on the matter.

"We welcome the statement made by the Kedah menteri besar. It's a stance which should be emulated by all menteris besar and chief ministers, and even expanded to the cabinet level," he told Bernama here today.

Johan was commenting on the statement made by Mukhriz saying he has ruled out giving business projects to members of his family.

In conjunction with his 100th day in office as Kedah Menteri Besar yesterday, Mukhriz told a media conference that the decision was made to avoid a conflict of interest.

Johan said the Menteri Besar's action was also in line with the Panel's recommendations on December 20 last year, that family members of cabinet ministers, deputy ministers, menteris besar, chief ministers and state executive councilors be barred from bidding for government contracts.