KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today that he had not been told of anti-graft officials investigating national oil giant Petronas on corruption allegations.The Malaysian Insider reported earlier today that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) raided Petronas in the past weeks after receiving tip-offs of alleged corruption by project consultants working on exploration and production efforts in Malaysian waters.
According to sources, MACC officials briefed Najib before he left for the haj last week. The prime minister returned home yesterday.
“No, I’m not aware,” Najib told reporters after the Barisan Nasional (BN) supreme council meeting at the Putra World Trade Centre here.
A source had told The Malaysian Insider that the MACC investigators had gone in as there had been “many complaints” of some seeking gifts in return for making recommendations for contracts.
Another source confirmed the investigation into the national oil company, saying the MACC has informed Najib and his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. The MACC does not confirm investigations for fear of jeopardising its work.
Industry sources said corruption has become rampant over the years as Petronas has been giving out a host of contracts for its various operations, including the new push for marginal oil fields. But they did not identify which section of Petronas was being investigated by the MACC.
Another source said the Petronas management has had various meetings to discuss allegations of graft among its employees, who are among the best paid in Malaysia with perks including attractive housing loans, medical benefits and other incentives.
The MACC recorded the most arrests related to graft last year, nabbing 944 people, of whom more than 400 were bribe givers.
read more at TheMalaysianInsider.com
