Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed there are no criminal elements linked to the case involving allegations that a Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) senior official had taken allowances without the approval of BAM council members. Its chief commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki, stated that a complete report on the investigation will be sent to Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh as there were some matters to address.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Azam mentioned that the investigation is complete and the deputy public prosecutor has decided that there is no criminal case that can be brought against the individual. The MACC will send a complete investigation report on the matter, highlighting several governance issues and matters that require attention. He emphasized that the MACC investigation was solely on the senior official and did not involve BAM as an institution.
Azam clarified that there was confusion regarding the investigation, as some believed it involved the BAM institution. He reiterated that the investigation was focused on the individual due to a poison pen letter received by the MACC.
In another development, Azam disclosed that the commission is still investigating the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) over the misappropriation of training fund levies through Op Fund. This case is being managed by MACC Governance Investigation Division director Datuk Mohd Zaki Hassan, with a focus on identifying system and procedure weaknesses within HRD Corp. Azam stressed that the investigation involves criminal aspects under the MACC Act 2009 or the Penal Code and is not limited to audit report matters.
Azam also addressed a previous mis-statement made by an enforcer to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), clarifying that the HRD Corp case is not closed, and investigations are ongoing.
Regarding the padi fertiliser corruption case linked to the National Farmers Organisation (NAFAS) under Op Ladang, Azam informed that a former general manager will be charged this month. The MACC has completed the investigation paper and submitted it to the deputy public prosecutor on December 13, 2024, with two recommended charges against the former manager.