MACC URGES OFFICIAL REPORTS OVER ‘PROTECTION MONEY’ CLAIMS AT SELAYANG  MARKET

SHAH ALAM, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has urged anyone claiming to have been forced to pay ‘protection money’ to certain parties during enforcement operations at the Selayang Wholesale Market to come forward and lodge an official report to enable a thorough investigation.

MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said allegations of traders paying money to authorities were not new, but accusations made only through the media or social media without an official report would not solve the issue.

“This is a new matter appearing in the media, but to me it is an old issue involving traders who claim to give money to enforcement agencies. I hope those making these allegations will come forward to MACC.

“We already have laws and they are also protected under the Whistleblower Protection Act. We have publicised this repeatedly,” he said.

He said this to reporters after the "SPRM-UiTM Inspirasi 2025: Hari Integriti dan Kepimpinan"  event at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Puncak Alam campus here today.

Earlier, Azam, who is also an Adjunct Professor at UiTM, delivered a keynote address titled “Integriti Teras Kepimpinan, Amanah Asas Kejayaan” (Integrity, the Core of Leadership; Trust, the Basis of Success), which was also attended by UiTM Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Shahrin Sahib @ Sahibuddin.

Commenting further, Azam said allegations made broadly and publicly were also unfair to enforcement agencies accused without solid evidence.

“If they only speak to the media or on social media, the matter will not be resolved. Making general accusations against enforcement agencies, to me, is not fair,” he said.

Azam said the MACC must also be fair to all parties, including individuals or agencies accused of receiving bribes, as well as those alleged to have given them.

He said that to ensure fairness, the MACC would not open an investigation file without receiving accurate and truthful information from a complainant.

Previously, claims circulated on social media alleging that traders at the Selayang Wholesale Market were forced to pay protection money to certain parties during a recent enforcement operation.

On Dec 7, an integrated operation at the Selayang Wholesale Market, attended by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who is also the State Security Committee Chairman, saw 843 undocumented migrants including 35 women detained for various offences under the Immigration Act.

-- BERNAMA