Nik Aziz, Wee Ka Siong cleared by MACC

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has cleared Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat of any wrongdoing over two graft allegations.

These involved Nik Aziz’ haj pilgrimage trip which was sponsored by a local businessman and the appointment of his son-in-law Abdul Ariffahmi Abdul Rahmanas as chief executive of Perbadanan Menteri Besar Kelantan (PMBK).

On the haj offer, MACC's Operations Review Panel chairperson Hadenan Abdul Jalil said Nik Aziz had not "asked" (meminta) the company to pay for the haj trip costing RM65,000.

"Furthermore, Nik Aziz also did not go for the trip. The attorney-general has scrutinised the case and no charge can be made," Hadenan (right) said.

Nik Aziz did not go for the haj last year, but made the trip this year.

However, the seven-member panel headed by Hadenan, a former auditor-general, noted that there were weaknesses in procedures that had to be rectified.

On the appointment of Nik Aziz's son-in-law Ariffahmi, Hadenan said the MACC's thorough investigations found that the menteri besar had the power to appoint any officers or staff.

“The appointment is seen as merely changing positions and under the PMBK enactment, the menteri besar has wide powers to appoint its officers and staff,” he said, adding the panel would like to advise state governments to improve their system, procedures and regulations in appointing officers.

Nik Aziz had been under fire last year for the appointment of Ariffahmi and also over the haj trip offer.

The operations panel is tasked to review cases of corruption or abuse of power, which had been investigated by MACC but classified as 'no further action' needed.

The panel also cleared Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong (right) over allegations of conflict of interest in holding a post in an architectural firm related to the Port Klang Free Trade Zone project.

Wee, who had a stake in consultancy firm Hijau Sekitar Sdn Bhd, had denied the firm had worked on PKFZ.

New evidence in probe on Tajudin

Hadenan also rejected claims that MACC was not taking action on former Malaysia Airlines (MAS) chief Tajudin Ramli.

He said the investigations were on-going, particularly after new evidence has emerged in the matter.

"Allegations that the MACC is not investigating are baseless as new evidence has emerged and the MACC is looking into it," he said.

Asked as to whether the new evidence concerned what had been reported in the blogs, Hadenan said it was still being investigated.

As to whether  attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail was also being investigated for not wanting to institute action against Tajudin, Hadenan declined to comment.

Tajudin is being probed over the purchase of the MasKargo facility in Hahn, Germany, which resulted in huge losses to the national carrier.

MACC had initiated investigations against Tajudin since 2002, and the Malaysia Today website, operated by Raja Petra Kamarudin, has alleged that the matter was put on cold storage on orders from Abdul Gani.

In 2002, MAS lodged its first in a series of police reports against Tajudin, its executive chairman from 1994 to 2001, for causing the national carrier to suffer losses of more than RM8 billion.

This prompted a two-pronged investigation by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department of the police and by MACC. The CCID had recommended action, which was shot down by Abdul Gani.

This led to speculation raised by Social Care Foundation chairperson Robert Phang Miow Sin (right) that records and pictures showed Abdul Gani to be close to an aide of Tajudin, which also saw no action taken.

Abdul Gani has declined to comment on his relationship with Tajuddin, or on he haj trip that they took together this year.

PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub had also called for a royal commission to be set up to inquire into the matter.

Besides Hadenan, the other members of the panel are Cecil Abraham, Nik Mohd Hasyudeen Yusoff, Walter Sandosam, Aminah Pit Abd Raman, Md Hamzah Md Kassim and Dr Syed Noh Syed Ahmad.

Also present today was MACC director of investigations Mustafar Ali.