SUPP on “Ops Gergaji”

suppadmin | May 16, 2015

SUPP firmly believes that the country should be rid of corruption of all kinds.

The recent “Ops Gergaji” by the MACC was aimed at identifying the culprits and bringing them to justice. We don’t condone the actions of any companies or persons who have committed crimes. However, we believe that the sweeping actions by the MACC to freeze the bank accounts of the suspected companies under investigations when they have no concrete proofs of criminal activities is not a wise move. Many of these companies have been in business for over 30 years. They employ thousands of workers and support the business activities of many local SME’s. And they are responsible corporate citizens in Sarawak. They are not going to run away or disappear.

The consequences of freezing the bank accounts of those companies and persons are as follows:

[1] the failure to meet the operating financial obligations to the financial institutions resulting in banking defaults and tarnished bankers’ ratings;

[2] the failure to meet the commitments to pay their suppliers, many of whom are SME’s, resulting in their financial problems and operational commitments to their workers, suppliers and bankers;

[3] the failure to meet the financial obligations to their workers, affecting their personal family and financial commitments; and

[4] the failure to meet their income tax, other taxes, EPF, SOCSO and other obligations.

The impact on the economy of the country and its people are enormous. The chain effect on the financial and economic situation will ultimately lead to a severe long term loss to the country and its people. There will be a loss of public confidence in the system. Local and foreign investors will shy away from the country.

We believe that investigations and justice can still be carried out without freezing the bank accounts. Investigations by the Inland Revenue Department had been known to be effective and successful without the need of freezing bank accounts. We don’t see why there is a need to take this stand against long established companies by the recent “Ops Gergaji” .

We fully support the call by YAB Chief Minister requesting the MACC to review and reconsider their approach to the investigations in order to lessen the impacts on the companies, their employees and the Sarawak economy as a whole.