'Unreasonable to claim there are no corruption elements' - Azam Baki

SHAH ALAM - Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) says it is unreasonable to claim that there were no corruption elements found in the issue related to the commotion at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) recently.

Its chief, Tan Sri Azam Baki, said investigations on the issue were still ongoing.

"Investigations on this case are still underway, and I don’t want certain parties to speculate as if no corruption elements were found as investigations are yet to be completed.

"MACC had just started investigations five to six days ago; is it valid to think that the investigations would be completed in this duration?" he said when contacted by Sinar on Saturday.

Azam said all parties, including media practitioners, must be careful before making statements, even when referring to sources.

He said the MACC has called the companies appointed to manage foreign citizens placed on Entry Denial Notices (NTL).

"Yes, we have called the company and witnesses related to assist in the investigations," he said.

Azam said efforts were still underway to track the individual believed to be the agent who brought the Chinese citizen during the incident.

On Wednesday, MACC recorded the statements of 14 individuals on claims of corruption among Immigration Department staff and officers at the arrival gates.

These people included the minister, eight Immigration staff, and two Chinese Citizens.

Sinar previously reported that MACC would investigate Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing on allegations of corruption at the KLIA arrival hall.

It followed the viral incident on social media involving Tiong, who barged into the KLIA arrival station to free a Chinese visitor from being arrested by the Immigration Department.