C4 executive director Cynthia Gabriel urged the auditor-general to act in the name of public interest.
“Present the report to Parliament so that the public knows the extent of malpractice that has occurred,” she said.
Gabriel also urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to conduct a thorough probe into Annuar, whose immediate suspension could indicate that the Mara board had found evidence of misappropriation of funds.
“We believe the unanimous decision by the Mara board (to suspend Annuar) and the immediate effect of the suspension is indicative of strong evidence of misappropriation of funds,” she told FMT.
Gabriel added that a proper investigation into Annuar’s case could win public confidence in the country’s efforts to combat graft in government-linked companies (GLCs) and especially if it involves politicians.
“Charges must be swift if evidence is sufficient. The suspension is not a way out for him (Annuar) and justice must not be delayed.
“Our criminal justice system must show Malaysians that it will and can work to protect public interest,” she said, calling for the attorney-general to be impartial when handling Annuar’s case.
The decision to suspend Annuar was made earlier today at a Mara board meeting chaired by board member Dr Yusuf Yacob.
Earlier, Annuar, who is overseas, told FMT that he accepted Mara’s decision and was ready to cooperate in any ensuing investigations.
Annuar, who is the former Kelantan Football Association president, was previously accused of using Pelaburan Mara Bhd (PMB) funds to sponsor the state football team, which plays in the Malaysia Super League (MSL).
The issue was first brought up by Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who had questioned Mara’s use of “public funds” to “save” the Kelantan football team from a financial crisis.
Tunku Ismail had said Annuar needed to explain PMB and Universiti Kuala Lumpur’s (UniKL) “forced sponsorship” of the football team.
UniKL is a private university owned by Mara.
Annuar, who is an Umno Supreme Council member, has denied using PMB and UniKL funds to sponsor the team.
Annuar stated that Mara had never sponsored the football team and that the placement of Mara’s 50th anniversary logo on the Kelantan football team jersey, valued at RM250,000, had been given free to Mara.