Two politicians – a former and a current minister – have been implicated in the alleged corruption allegation involving a Fifa Ethics Committee judge.
The allegations include free hotel stays and dining at a luxury hotel and expenses in terms of car rental and flight tickets for the former minister’s officers and for personal trips “guised as official trips” to the UK.
Allegations against the current minister include the leasing of a car and driver for the use of the minister’s child studying in Kuala Lumpur and accommodation at a luxury hotel for the minister’s family.
MACC sources confirmed allegations linking the two politicians will be investigated after anti-graft investigators detained Datuk Prof Dr Sundra Rajoo on Tuesday.
The sources said any form of abuse of power, even by the politicians, will be investigated.
“We are looking at abuse of power in any form by any party, regardless of his or her position. The claims were made and we are looking into it from all angles,” said the ranking official.
Following the investigations, Sundra resigned as Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) director to “protect the institution’s good name.
Sundra was detained to assist into a corruption probe. He was held overnight but released after a Putrajaya court ruled MACC had no jurisdiction to detain him as he was protected under the International Organisations (Privileges and Immunities) Act 1992 (Act 485).
MACC deputy chief commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki refused to comment as the matter was under investigation.
Fifa’s chairman of the adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee Vassilios Skouris said Sundra will not be involved in any further activities of the chamber.
“This decision shall apply while the aforementioned investigation is pending,” Skouris said in a statement.
