KUCHING, June 13 — The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) must not let up in its investigation of Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud now that it is clear the Sarawak Governor’s post does not confer legal immunity, a DAP MP has said.
Citing a reply by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Paul Low that omitted the Sarawak Governor as a state Ruler, Tanjong MP Ng Wei Aik said the graftbusters can continue its scrutiny on Taib.
“Since the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is empowered to continue its investigation against Taib Mahmud even though he has been appointed as the Sarawak State Governor, DAP would like to urge the MACC to expedite its probe and bring those involved to the court,” Ng said in a statement yesterday.
On Tuesday, Low told Parliament that Article 160(2) of the Federal Constitution does not define Yang di-Pertua Negri as a Ruler of a State, and is only a Head of State for those states not governed by a Ruler, including Penang, Melaka, Sabah and Sarawak.
As such, the Special Court does not come into play for the Yang di-Pertua Negeri. All proceedings involving a Yang di-Pertua Negeri in his personal capacity can be brought before the civil courts, he added.
Taib has been under investigation by Malaysia’s anti-graft agency since 2011 and is regularly accused by activist groups of enriching his family through his control over awarding huge infrastructure contracts.
Taib, 77, is seen as a political heavyweight whose 33-year hold on the oil-rich state that is also Malaysia's biggest has drawn legions of critics who argue that his administration is marred with corruption and cronyism.
Taib resigned as Sarawak chief minister on February 28 and was appointed the seventh Governor of Sarawak the next day.
