Monday July 14, 2008 MYT 6:34:56 PM

PM: Arrests show that even big fish can be caught

By JANE RITIKOS

PETALING JAYA: The detention of two top Immigration Department officers by the Anti-Corruption Agency in investigations into allegation of bribery in the issuance of visas to foreign workers is proof that even big fish will not be let off the hook, the Prime Minister said.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that the public was shocked by the detention of the top officers as if it was unusual.

"So they perceive that big guns cannot be arrested and that is why they are shocked? All this while the authorities act on "big or small" people, whether they hold posts or not.

"As long as there is misconduct, the ACA will investigate. If they obtain information that ties the accused to the crime they will surely charge them, " he said after opening the National Summit on Urban Poor and Low Income Groups.

On whether the alleged offence threatened national security, Abdullah said the probe might involve massive work as the ACA would need to identify those involved and the extent of the problem which included training those who had been issued the documents through the illegal means.

He said the alleged offence had caused an undesirable situation.