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THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) came under fire from various quarters yesterday for failing to concentrate on its priorities in the long-standing Kapar land-grab issue.

Those Malay Mail had spoken to — including Selangor MPs — voiced their indignance at the strong-arm tactics displayed by MACC officers against the complainants and a reporter.

The same group wondered why MACC had seemingly been distracted from what should be its main focus — probing how Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) agricultural plots in Kapar had been transferred to the names of a Datuk, his family members and business associates by the Klang Land Office within 24 hours.

MACC’s focus on Malay Mail reporter Nevash Nair was questioned by National Union of Journalists (NUJ) president Norila Mohd Daud, who expressed surprise and disappointment.

She said the agency’s officers had “overstepped their boundaries”.

“Even if they had felt that the report was not accurate, what basis did they have for simply taking the reporter’s belongings? As reporters, we have a right to report facts.

“If they wanted a copy of the raw article, they should have asked for a printout. But, even then, the article would have been edited several times before getting published.

“So, why couldn’t they be satisfied with that? It is burdensome for the reporter to have his laptop and handphone taken away when they are necessary for his job,” she said.

“Moreover, he is just a reporter and not a suspect.”

Norila also said that the reporter should lodge a report with the police if he was not satisfied with the manner in which he was treated by MACC’s officers and urged MACC to return his belongings as soon as possible to allow the reporter to resume his normal duties.

MACC was also criticised by several Members of Parliament.

Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong

Why does MACC need to confiscate the reporter's laptop when the ‘evidence' could be presented in another form, such as a printout? A laptop is a reporter's tool of trade. So, if the reporter isn't being investigated for a criminal offence, MACC should not be hasty in taking it away.

While I cannot tell what kind of evidence the MACC is looking for, the other way I see it is that this is a form of intimidation to prevent the reporter from pursuing the issue.

Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin

Why must MACC take a stronghanded attitude towards the reporter when he is only doing his work? MACC should be tackling the problem (of the land-grab issue) by investigating the allegations, not the people who had raised complaints on the matter and the person who had reported it.

Sometimes they are swift to act on reports but here they are taking so long. We are talking about incredible allegations against a Datuk for getting the land in 24 hours - shouldn't they be concentrating on this instead?

Selayang MP William Leong

We are living in a world where those who want to raise the truth and public awareness on a problem are getting persecuted, charged and put into prison.

MACC has changed its name but it's still as it was by not being professional in its conduct. They are concentrating on the people who made the report and wrote it instead of focusing on investigating the issue.

These are methods employed by an authoritarian regime that is afraid of people learning the truth. Malay Mail must continue to be true to its principle of reporting and not be intimidated by this.

Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo

Reporters have every right to report facts and information that come to their knowledge. If any valid and reasonable complaints get to the ears of the authorities and reporters, I don't see a reason why reporters shouldn't report it to the masses. By lodging a report and questioning how the reporter got the materials for his story, it shows that MACC is being narrowminded.

They only have the right to dispute or deny any allegations, but to confiscate personal belongings is just too much. If there is nothing to hide on their side, why can't they just explain and focus more on the issue rather than taking such action?

I believe the police should be the ones investigating Manikavasagam and the Malay Mail reporter, Nevash Nair. Plus, it should be up to the police to decide what action is to be taken, not MACC.

MACC should focus more and concentrate on cases that have been highlighted as of late, rather than reacting in this manner. Just dispute or deny if the claim is unreasonable. Where is the freedom of information?

Klang MP Charles Santiago

I learnt that Nevash was called for a chit-chat that later turned into an interrogation instead.  It's unfair for them to go after the reporter and victimise him. It's not acceptable. It's out of their jurisdiction to take away the personal belongings. What's more unacceptable is that they took away the only copy of the evidence.

They should have just made a copy and returned the belongings to the rightful owner. Nevash shouldn't be treated like a criminal, he was just doing his job as a reporter. He has the right and it is best if he lodge a report against MACC to avoid any unforeseen circumstances.

Since Malay Mail has been brave enough to bring forward the matter to everyone's attention, MACC should start looking for ways to resolve the matter, not going after Malay Mail and its reporter.