ACA to wrap up probe soon into allegations against Musa, Gani

PUTRAJAYA: The Anti-Corruption Agency is expected to wrap up this week its investigation into allegations by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan had tampered with evidence in 1998.

ACA deputy director-general Datuk Abu Kassim Mohamed yesterday said all witnesses had had their statements recorded.

"We are satisfied with the evidence and statements given so far. If there is a need to call these witnesses, including Anwar, Musa or Abdul Gani, we will do so," he told a press conference minutes after Anwar, the former deputy prime minister and Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader, left the agency's head office after having his statement recorded for the second time over the allegations.

Anwar had his statement recorded for the first time on Wednesday. On the same day, he was detained by the police in connection with a sodomy allegation against him by his former aide. He was released on police bail.

Abu Kassim said the ACA would decide on the case without referring to the attorney-general.

"There are certain cases which we do not have to refer to him and this is one of them. Even the A-G has made it known that this case did not have to be referred to him as he had been implicated.

"We will study the evidence with our legal director, without fear or favour. The investigation papers will also be studied by our legal director and deputy public prosecutors."

He said there were 31 DPPs in the agency.

On July 11, Musa and Abdul Gani were seen entering the ACA head office, without being accompanied by lawyers.

ACA investigations director Datuk Shukri Abdull had said the agency had questioned 15 people in connection with Anwar's report.

Anwar and his camp have maintained that the latest sodomy allegation was an attempt to divert attention from the fact that he had evidence to prove that Abdul Gani and Musa had fabricated evidence against him 10 years ago in connection with his assault after he was arrested.

A Royal Commission of Inquiry into the incident determined that the then inspector-general of police Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Noor had assaulted him. Rahim later pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to two months' jail.

-NST