What’s the status of top environment officials’ case, MACC, AGC asked

2026-03-24 - 05:40

The environment department DG and his deputy were among four people remanded by MACC as part of investigations into allegations of abuse of power and corruption involving e-waste management. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: Two NGOs have urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to reveal the status of an e-waste case involving the environment department director-general and one of his deputies. The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) noted MACC’s announcement that it had submitted its investigation papers to prosecutors, recommending criminal charges. However, they said no further details had been made public since, and that it was unclear whether the officials had been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. “Allowing them to remain in office raises serious issues as it may lead to evidence tampering, thus compromising prosecution efforts. “MACC and the AGC must disclose the current status of the case, including when the officials will be charged,” C4 CEO Pushpan Murugiah and SAM president Meenakshi Raman said in a joint statement. On Feb 11, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the agency would recommend filing corruption charges against the environment department director-general and his deputy. The two top environment officials were among several people arrested by MACC in its probe into allegations of abuse of power and corruption involving e-waste management. Also arrested were six company owners suspected of involvement in e-waste smuggling over the past five years. Pushpan and Meenakshi said regular updates on the case must be provided to ensure transparency and reinforce public confidence in Malaysia’s anti-corruption and environmental protection institutions. “The natural resources and environmental sustainability ministry must also clarify what administrative measures have been taken to prevent conflict of interest or further abuse of power while investigations are ongoing.”