6 Malaysian Politicians Arrested For Corruption Since GE14
We've come a long way.
By Jia Vern Tham — 09 May 2019, 08:30 PM
A year has passed since the historic win of Pakatan Harapan in the 14th General Election (GE14), succeeding the scandal-ridden Barisan Nasional administration
While the one-year-old government has yet to fulfil its campaign promises, one thing is clear – Pakatan Harapan made the war on corruption a priority in the past year.
Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad previously said that he "will go all out" to ensure the new administration is corruption-free, according to Bernama.
"We're doing everything we can to reduce, or even eliminate, corruption," he said in September last year.
Mahathir's vow was eventually materialised through arrests of high-profile politicians by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in the past year. Here are a few of them:
Embattled former premier Najib was arrested by MACC on 3 July 2018, and slapped with four charges in court a day later.
To date, the Pekan Member of Parliament (MP) is facing a total of 42 corruption charges over the infamous 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) – involving a total of USD4.5 billion (approximately RM18.67 billion).
Najib is currently in the 16th day of his first trial over SRC International Sdn Bhd – one of the many to come.
MACC detained UMNO president Ahmad Zahid on 18 October 2018 in relation to Yayasan Akalbudi, a foundation reportedly owned by his family to donate to welfare and religious work.
Malay Mail reported that Zahid faces 47 charges of corruption and money laundering involving at least RM110 million.
The High Court previously decided that his trial will begin on 8 July.
3. Datuk Seri Bung Moktar
Infamous for his "f**k you" stint in parliament last year, the Kinabatangan MP was arrested by MACC, along with his wife Datin Seri Zizie Izette on 1 May.
Malaysiakini reported that the couple was detained after being questioned for graft allegations regarding Felcra Berhad, the company which Bung was a chairman of.
Bung and his wife allegedly received RM2.8 million of Felcra's investment in unit trusts worth RM150 million.
The couple has since pleaded not guilty, and their cases have been set for mention on 10 June.
On 5 November 2018, the former Sabah chief minister was arrested by MACC for allegedly taking bribes for contracts in 2009.
Musa currently faces a total of 51 corruption charges involving RM415.5 million, according to Malaysiakini. He has been charged for bribery and money laundering.
After claiming trial to all his charges, Musa's case has been transferred to the High Court.
The former Federal Territories minister was arrested by MACC on 14 November 2018 over dubious land deals, according to Free Malaysia Today.
Malaysiakini reported that Tengku Adnan has been slapped with three corruption charges amounting to RM4 million between 15 November and 12 December.
The former Tabung Haji chairman was arrested along with his brother on 15 January over procurement of government contracts.
According to The Star, Azeez is facing 12 corruption charges amounting to RM144.6 million. The charges were in relation to road projects in Perak and Kedah.
The Baling MP has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and surrendered his passport to the court.
[BONUS] Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor
Rosmah was arrested on 3 October following MACC investigations into SRC International Sdn Bhd.
She faces a total of 20 corruption charges to date involving over RM200 million, according to Malay Mail. Her charges include money laundering and bribery over a RM1.25 billion solar hybrid power system project.