MONEY POLITICS: 280 complaints with ACA

Nov 20 (Bernama) — The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) has received 280 complaints on money politics involving political parties.

ACA director-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan said of the figure, 82 complaints had basis for investigation and were now being investigated.

“The rest were referred to the disciplinary body of the political parties concerned,” he said after officiating at the completion of the ACA Officers’ Basic Training (Investigation) Course Series 2/2008, in Tanjung Bidara, near here, today.

Ahmad Said declined to reveal the political parties involved, but said that if there were enough evidence, the cases would be brought to court.

Meanwhile, he said, the ACA, was working hard at getting rid of crime syndicates that offered bribes in order to carry on their illegal activities, such as bringing in illegals into the country and smuggling drugs, firearms and pornographic materials, as well as consumer goods to avoid paying duties.

“We are also battling corruption involving cases of evironmental pollution and illegal logging.

“Whether they are government officers, private sector employees or members of the public, those involved in corruption will face stern action,” he said.

Ahmad Said also said that the government had approved an additional 5,000 investigation officers for the ACA within five years from now to strengthen the agency which now had 1,800 such officers.

He said public support for the ACA’s role had been increasing, whereby 14,817 complaints on corrupt practices were lodged with the agency from January to yesterday, compared with 13,900 in 2007.

Until yesterday, 575 people had been arrested by the ACA, with RM1.3 million in fines imposed by the courts and assets worth RM8.94 seized, while the value of the bribes in the cases investigated amounted to RM45 million, he added.