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By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Mar 7: Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen has criticised the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for how it conducted its investigation on James Chai, saying that failure to contact him on WhatsApp alone does not justify what Chong described as a ‘national manhunt’.
In a statement, Chong claimed that while the party does not oppose investigations into any alleged wrongdoing, the manner in which MACC investigated the ex-aide of former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli was seen as one out to intimidate rather than a genuine, normal investigation process.
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“The MACC has stated that beginning on Feb 24, they attempted to contact James Chai via WhatsApp, before subsequently issuing a public notice seeking him to assist in the investigation.
“The public is therefore entitled to ask a simple and reasonable question: After the WhatsApp message, what formal investigative steps were taken by the MACC? Did the MACC issue any formal summons or written notice requiring James Chai to assist in the investigation? Did the investigating officer make any attempt to contact or locate James Chai at his last known residential address or workplace? Did the investigating officer contacted any of his family members to know his whereabouts?
“Failure to reach someone on WhatsApp alone cannot justify a national manhunt,” said Chong.
The Padungan assemblyman and Bandar Kuching MP then questioned the investigation, claiming that it was public knowledge that Chai is politically aligned with Rafizi, who has become critical of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He also expressed concern about the Madani government’s handling of the case, which he alleged was similar to the previous Barisan Nasional’s (BN) practices of using enforcement powers against political dissent.
“The prime minister himself was one who has suffered most under the yoke of the previous regime when the whole weight of the enforcement forces was applied onto him. He should be the last person to allow the repeat of such thing when he helms the government,” he said.
Therefore, Chong said, Sarawak DAP calls on the prime minister to direct the MACC to conduct itself in a more professional and accountable manner, as well as to issue a public apology to Chai.
According to Free Malaysia Today, on March 4, the MACC called on Chai—who is working in the United Kingdom—to immediately contact investigating officers and return to Malaysia to assist in an ongoing investigation, which Chai has yet to do.
MACC said investigating officers had made several attempts beginning Feb 24 to contact him before issuing the notice, and that the phone number of an officer was blocked by Chai on WhatsApp on Feb 26.
The notice did not specify the reason he was being sought. However, it came after a recent investigation into alleged misconduct linked to a RM1.1 billion government deal with chipmaker Arm Holdings signed in March last year.
Chai then issued a statement arguing that the MACC had resorted to issuing a public search notice instead of attempting to reach him directly or through people close to him.
Additionally, he also criticised the MACC for releasing the address of his childhood home, where his parents currently live, claiming that it exposed his family to harm, and alleged that he was painted as a fugitive through the public search.
The MACC responded, saying that such notices are issued only after failure to contact an individual, including through telephone calls and visits to the last known address.
As for the public search notice, MACC said a Notice to Trace an individual or witness to assist in investigations is a standard investigative procedure used by the commission and other enforcement agencies—not a criminal accusation.
Later on, in a statement dated March 6, Chai said he had appointed two lawyers to assist him in the investigation, adding that he only became aware that MACC wanted him to assist in an investigation after a public notice to trace individuals was widely circulated, and that he was ready to provide full cooperation.
On the allegation of the blocked number, Chai clarified he usually blocks unknown numbers due to cyber scams, particularly ones involving individuals impersonating authorities. — DayakDaily
English (US) ·