PUTRAJAYA (Nov 16, 2009): Despite spending months investigating at least a dozen high-profile graft cases, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is still unable to solve them or even reveal a hint of where the direction of the probes are heading.

Abu Kassim

Journalists who turned up at briefing for media editors today, left in exasperation after MACC deputy commissioner (Operations) Datuk Abu Kassim Mohamed made a single and general statement pertaining to the high-profile cases.

His comment on the cases at the 20-minute session in the federal MACC headquarters was: "It is our responsibilty to investigate cases published by the media and scrutinise them to acertain if there are elements of graft. If there are, then we will take the necessary action but if there is none, then we won't act."

One of the cases he referred to was the probe into Datin Seri Lee Sun Loo, wife of Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who allegedly received a Toyota Alphard car as a birthday gift from a developer who was awarded several projects by the Health Ministry.

Others include that of Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat on the sponsorship of his Haj pilgrimage by his supporters and on the sprawling bungalow said to be worth tens of millions owned by former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Khir Toyo.

On the special task force which was formed to educate Members of Parliament and state assemblymen on practices and offences which amounted to corruption, Abu Kassim said the proposal would be handed over to the comission's independent panel of consultation and prevention to be evaluated and approved.

On the Auditor-General's Report 2008/2009, he said 41 case files were opened and "the probes are in progress".

He urged the public to be patient and allow the MACC to carry out its investigations without being pressured.