Anti-graft panel wants Azmin probe reopened
A high-level Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) panel has recommended that a 2009 investigation against PKR deputy president Azmin Ali’s alleged involvement in graft be reopened.
A high-level Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) panel has recommended that a 2009 investigation against PKR deputy president Azmin Ali’s alleged involvement in graft be reopened.
The anti-graft commission’s operations review panel chief, Hadenan Abdul Jalil (left), told reporters today that instructions have been given to reopen investigations into the allegation.
MACC director of investigations Mustafar Ali, who was also present, said that the commission might haul up Azmin as well as PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim if their testimonies are required to obtain further information to verify several recent claims that have been made.
The issue was raised before the panel today following allegations by blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin on his website Malaysia Today that he is in possession of documents to prove the graft claims against Azmin from way back in 1995.
Raja Petra had said "a thick file of hundreds of documents" was handed over to him last month by a "very disillusioned" retired MACC officer who had wanted to expose corrupt officers, and the file showed that the ACA (Anti-Corruption Agency) had gathered concrete evidence to arrest and prosecute Azmin for corruption.
However, the case was shelved and marked 'no further action’ by then ACA director-general Shafee Yahaya (left), allegedly on instructions from Anwar, who was then the deputy prime minster and finance minister.
Disciplinary action recommended
Shafee had told the New Straits Times that he had suggested disciplinary action at that time as the probe did not uncover “strong elements of corruption” to warrant prosecution.
According to the daily, Azmin was investigated for, among others, assets allegedly amassed together with his wife, Shamsidar Taharin, including houses and cars totalling almost RM1.5 million.
He was also accused of possessing shares valued at hundreds of thousands of ringgit, and almost RM10 million in cash and cheques that went in and out of both the couple's accounts, as had been certified by the banks then.
But disciplinary action was proposed at the time as the investigation revealed that Azmin was deep in dept, said Shafee (left), adding that it indicated the former was living beyond his means.
However, the MACC revived the case in 2009 when Anuar Shaari, who served as Anwar’s private secretary, came forward with new information implicating Azmin.
Azmin, however, denied the allegations in an interview with Malaysiakini without going into the details, simply saying he is "not that rich".
Seeing that 17 years has since passed, Hadenan said MACC might be faced with an uphill task to unearth evidence to back up the claims against Azmin.
Nevertheless, to ensure "investigations are conducted fairly", he said the MACC must obtain the required evidence.
Mustafar added that under the then ACA Act, the claims against Azmin were probably not a crime, but there are provisions under the present MACC Act and other corresponding legislations to deal with such matters.
Hadenan said that Shafee might also be asked to provide his statements, as he had investigated the allegations then.
Sand allegations closed
Meanwhile, the operations review panel said they have decided to retain no further action on allegations of sand theft syndicates in Selangor involving Sri Muda state assemblyperson Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei and Batu Caves state assemblyperson Amirudin Shari.
In February, the panel suggested the case be reanalysed, following allegations by blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, who said the duo were directors of a company call Double Dignity (M) Sdn Bhd and had received a monthly allowance of RM5,000, among others.
He also posted a copy of a letter from Amirudin to Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB) - the Selangor government company which handles sand mining in the state - to support Double Dignity’s application for a sand-mining contract.
“The legal division, after re-looking at the files, held the same view they did previously - that it is labelled no further action,” said Hadenan.
Anti-graft panel wants Azmin probe reopened
'Graft file weapon to ensure Azmin's loyalty to Anwar'
