MACC probe on Padang Serai MP ‘politically motivated’, says Kedah MB

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has slammed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) investigation into Padang Serai MP Datuk Azman Nasrudin, calling it “politically motivated.”

Sanusi, who is also Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) national election director, alleged that government agencies were being “exploited recklessly and excessively” by ruling parties to shape negative perceptions.

“They want to build a negative narrative and perception for political purposes… this country is already badly damaged… on its last legs… public agencies have become tools of the ruling party’s politics,” he told Twentytwo13.

His remarks came after media reports quoted MACC sources saying an MP from Kedah had been detained over a state-owned cattle-breeding joint venture. The lawmaker was reportedly detained on Thursday after prosecutors approved charges, with investigators alleging he received about RM400,000 to help secure land-use rights for a feedlot project.

The probe – which began in February – has involved statements from 15 witnesses. The alleged transaction is believed to have taken place when the former Lunas assemblyman served as Kedah executive councillor for Agriculture and Agro-based Industry under the previous state government.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the MP’s arrest, adding that his statement had been recorded under Section 53(3) of the MACC Act 2009 before he was released on bail.

Padang Serai MP Datuk Azman Nasrudin later confirmed that he is the PN lawmaker under investigation. In a TikTok video uploaded yesterday, Azman claimed he was a victim of “selective prosecution” and said he expects to be charged at the Shah Alam Sessions Court on Monday under Section 16A(a) of the MACC Act for soliciting and receiving a bribe.

He said he had earlier provided a statement as a witness at the Kedah MACC office in March but was abruptly instructed yesterday to meet officers at the Sungai Buloh R&R before being taken to the MACC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

“I was initially asked to assist the investigation, but in an instant, I went from being a witness to someone who would be charged,” he said.

Azman added that MACC officers told him two other individuals will also be charged under the same section on Monday. He insisted the prosecution is intended to tarnish his image as a PN representative.

He suggested the impending charge could be linked to his recent criticism of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over corruption charges faced by the PM’s former senior political secretary, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.

“Perhaps it’s because I commented on TikTok about the prime minister’s answer in Parliament regarding his (former) political secretary… and just a few days later, I’m the one being charged. To me, this looks very much like selective prosecution,” he said, adding that he is ready to defend himself in court.

On Friday, Shamsul and businessman Datuk Albert Tei were charged separately involving more than RM600,000 in alleged bribes between 2023 and 2024. Shamsul, 51, allegedly received RM64,924 in rental payments for a house in Bangsar as inducement to assist companies linked to Tei in securing mineral exploration approvals in Sabah.

Shamsul also faces three additional charges involving cash and electrical furnishings totalling RM176,829.03. Tei, 37, whose registered name is Tei Jiann Cheng, was charged with four counts of giving gratification to Shamsul.

The charges were brought under Sections 17(a) and 17(b) of the MACC Act, which carry penalties under Section 24(1), including a jail term and a fine of not less than five times the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

After the proceedings, Shamsul – represented by Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad and Mohd Yusmadi Mohd Yusoff – said he was determined to clear his name in court.