KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is keeping mum on its probe on the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) fiasco.

"No comment, I will not say anything on the matter", Commissioner Datuk Abu Kassim Mohamed told The Malay Mail after witnessing a signing ceremony of two agreements at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy (MACA) in Persiaran Duta, here, this morning.

He was asked on the latest development on MACC's probe with regards to the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal following the charges laid against former Transport Minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik on yesterday.

Dr Ling pleaded not guilty in the Putrajaya Sessions Court yesterday to deceiving the Cabinet over the purchase of land in Pulau Indah for the Mega Distribution Hub, the former name of PKFZ.

Meanwhile, the two agreements covered training programmes between MACA and International Anti-Corruption Academy ,and MACC and Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Earlier, Abu Kassim told reporters that the commission would not divulge any information on cases or people who were being investigated for corruption.

"As I said before when I took over the job as Commissioner, we will not divulge the details of investigation as required by law, and the fact that anyone who divulged such information will face legal action," he said, adding that those who have information on corruption should not inform the media about the case before lodging a report with MACC.

Abu Kassim said the blackout on investigations and suspects were required to protect the integrity of the probe.

Leaks will compromise investigations and may also hinder the sucess of an investigation, he added.

ICAC deputy commissioner Daniel Li, who was also present at the Press conference, told reporters that the Hong Kong anti-graft body also has similar regulations when it comes to its investigations.

Li said the ICAC will only issue a media release on the investigations once it was ready to bring the matter to court.

He said any disclosure of the investigations would harm the integrity of their probe, and disclosure of a suspect's identity may do more harm than good.

Asked if whether MACC could be seen as being a non-independent body due to the fact that its top officials were appointed by the prime minister, Li said: "It is the prerogative of the Malaysian government.

"From my perspective, the ICAC officials are appointed by the chief executive who is basically the 'prime minister' of Hong Kong."

He said it is not the chief executive's appointment that determines the organisation's independence; the determining factor would be how the officials and agency itself conduct its business.

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