Statement of MACC Chief Appears Politically Motivated

The statement of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief on the ongoing corruption investigations on Selangor Menteri  Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim appears to be politically motivated and smacks of double standards.

The whole episode seems to be linked to the political situation in Perak where the Barisan Nasional is being frustrated by a political impasse of its own doing.

The strong hints of action against Tan Sri Khalid seems to be also linked to the developing revelations of Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim who disclosed in Parliament, the unlawful tactics that are being used by Barisan Nasional to coerce and induce Pakatan Rakyat elected representative to switch camps.

The fact that the authorities concerned move with such speed on what appears to be trivial complaints motivated by political considerations leads one to wonder on the purported independence and fearlessness of the Anti-Corruption Commission.

I am sure Malaysians are outraged by this turn of events and join me in condemning the use of government agencies and personnel for political vendettas. 

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/98713

Car ‘n cows: S’gor MB could be charged  Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim could be charged in connection with the allegations of abuse of power in the maintenance of a luxury car and purchase of sacrificial cows. 

 

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today said it has strong evidence against him.

Speaking to reporters in Penang, MACC chief commissioner Ahmad Said Hamdan said investigations have been wrapped up and it is up to the attorney-general to take further action.

“The MACC can decide but it would be better for the attorney-general to consider and take action, it involves a VIP and we have to be fair to everyone,” he said.

He was responding to a question on why MACC did not proceed to prosecute Abdul Khalid, which is within its powers to do so. 

Two lawsuits filed

On Wednesday, Khalid had filed two suits against former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo regarding the ‘car and cows’ allegations which appeared in the New Straits Times and Utusan Malaysia.

Mohd Khir had alleged that the current menteri besar had purchased a Lexus as his official car.

However, Khalid later clarified that the car was his own but he was using it for official purposes as well.

Following this, an anti-corruption watchdog filed a MACC report accusing Khalid of using public funds to maintain the vehicle.

On the cattle issue, Khalid was accused of misusing RM110,400 of state funds for the purchase of cattle for his Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary constituency in conjunction with the Hari Raya Korban celebrations.

The menteri besar later explained that the arrangements to purchase and donate the cattle were made solely by the state agency, Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS) and the donor companies, without his or his officers’ involvement.

Why the double standards?

Meanwhile, Khalid’s lawyer Sankara Nair expressed deep regret over the statement by the MACC chief that there is strong evidence to show that the menteri besar had misused his powers.

“It has been the norm in MACC’s practice hitherto not to make statements indicating or stating the culpability of a person who is being investigated or at the end of the said investigation.

“In this particular case, MACC had chosen to depart from the time honoured norm and as such it clearly reeks of double-standards,” he told a press conference in Shah Alam.

Sankara said it is disturbing that MACC, in this instance, had singled out his client who is an opposition politician to “look guilty in the eyes of the public before he is charged in court or convicted.”

“Let me reiterate that the protocol on the decision to prosecute places a very heavy burden on the prosecution and the mere stating of the technicality without the essential element of mens rea (criminal intent)  does not certainly meet the standards to pursue prosecution.

“I therefore urge the MACC to act professionally at all time,” he added.

‘Linked to Perak turmoil’

Also questioning the MACC’s move was DAP parliamentarian Teresa Kok, who said the investigations appear to be “politically motivated and smacks of double standards.”

The opposition leader said the whole episode seems to be linked to the political situation in Perak where the Barisan Nasional is being frustrated by a political impasse of its own doing.

“The strong hints of action against Khalid seems to be also linked to the developing revelations of (Opposition Leader) Anwar Ibrahim who disclosed in Parliament the unlawful tactics that are being used by BN to coerce and induce Pakatan Rakyat elected representative to switch camps.

“The fact that the authorities concerned move with such speed on what appears to be trivial complaints motivated by political considerations leads one to wonder on the purported independence and fearlessness of MACC,” she said.

“I am sure Malaysians are outraged by this turn of events and join me in condemning the use of government agencies and personnel for political vendettas,” she added.

In a another development, the MACC would also investigate allegations of abuse of power by Perak state assembly speaker V Sivakumar for suspending Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and his six state executive councillors from the assembly.

“If it’s true that there has been abuse of power, the MACC will take appropriate action,” said Ahmad Said.