MB: Auditors find abuse in support letters

Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim said that an audit conducted on the Klang Municipal Council has revealed apparent abuses in the issuance of recommendation letters to companies by elected representatives and local councillors.

"There was some misuse of power," admitted Khalid at a press conference, after the draft report by the state audit department was unveiled to the state exco which met today.

Despite repeated requests for details, Khalid (left) said these could only be furnished next week. Khalid had previously promised that the audit report would be made public.

The row over dubious recommendation letters, better known as support letters, came to light after it was alleged that Klang Municipal Council member Tee Boon Hock had used the stationary of exco member Ronnie Liu to issue support letters.

Tee was subsequently sacked from his position and also expelled from his party DAP.

Khalid later skirted a question when asked if the state government was going to investigate Liu for improprieties.

In addition, Khalid said that the state government has issued a circular to all local governments to henceforth ignore recommendation letters in awarding tenders or contracts.

The state legal advisor has also been asked to draw up guidelines for the issuance of recommendation letters.

"This guidelines will clearly define what is considered family relations... for the issuance of support letters to companies... the guidelines will allow council members to defend themselves if they are accused of abusing their powers," he said.

Origins of the spy camera identified

Meanwhile, Khalid said new clues to the mystery of a "spy camera" in his office have been uncovered.

"We know where it was manufactured, where it was sold and also who were the people that were monitored," he said.

However, he refused to speculate on who was responsible.

He revealed that Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar (left) was supposed to visit him to have a first hand look at the situation, but the meeting was postponed for the second time in as many weeks.

Khalid said that no police report has been lodged yet because his office was still conducting its own investigations.

He said once the evidence were compiled, it would be handed over to the police.