Pointing out that the anti-graft agency was still investigating the 1MDB scandal, particularly the RM42 million transfer from SRC International into Najib’s personal bank account, Santiago said the allocation was an abuse of power and signalled “a morally bankrupt government”.
“The only thing left to do now is for Dzulkifli Ahmad, the chief commissioner of MACC, to reject the allocation immediately, speed up the investigation against Najib and make public the report in the next two weeks,” he said in a statement today.
“This is to avoid any ridicule of the anti-graft agency for accepting money from the person whom they are investigating.
“No other move would gain any currency in the eyes of the public.”
Yesterday, while speaking at the commission’s 50th anniversary celebration at its new complex in Putrajaya, Najib said the amount given by the government to Yayasan Prihatin was also a symbol of his own support for MACC.
He said he appreciated the hard work MACC officers had put in to eradicate corruption, adding that the government needed to give back to them by providing moral support for their welfare.
However, Santiago said given MACC’s ongoing investigation into the alleged transfer of funds and the fact that SRC International was now under the finance ministry, it was “highly unethical” and a conflict of interest for Najib to announce the allocation.
“And it would be equally unethical for the anti-graft body to accept the allocation as it would be perceived as compromising its investigation and violates the fundamental doctrine of anti-corruption,” he added.
He also pointed out that some RM4 billion of the SRC International funds was from Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP), a retirement fund for civil servants including MACC officers.
“It’s an irony how the government employees retirement fund is abused and the person whom MACC is investigating provides an allocation to the very same group whose retirement funds could be in jeopardy,” he said.