This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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Transparency-International Malaysia (TI-M) has demanded the formation of an independent panel comprising of external auditors who can look into crooked land deals shown in a video released by London-based environmental group Global Witness (GW).
The video titled “Inside Malaysia’s Shadow State” shows numerous land deals involving Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud’s cousins and several other famous people. According to GW, these deals will displace thousands of indigenous people.
“The video unfortunately supports the widespread perception of abuses and corruption in Sarawak involving issues relating to state corruption, abuse of power, impunity, expropriation of native/customary land, tax evasion and money-laundering. TI-M urges the government of Sarawak to immediately initiate an independent probe into these allegations by engaging an independent and reputable panel of external auditors,” said Datuk Paul Low, president of the anti-graft watchdog, in a statement.
Low has requested an involvement of auditors who can shed light on previous cases where government officials or their family members have acquired land at low prices without following legal procedures. He said an independent panel would enhance the transparency of such deals.
“The effectiveness of fighting corruption requires that no one is above the law, and that there is no safe haven for unlawfully or improperly obtained assets and illicit funds. TI-M urges the relevant authorities, the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission), the Royal Malaysian Police and the Inland Revenue Board to immediately, vigorously and thoroughly investigate the compelling evidence of the video, without fear, favor or partiality,” said Low.
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