Penang PAS Youth accuse Guan Eng, Thomas of abusing positions
Penang PAS Youth accused former Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng and ex-Attorney General Tommy Thomas of abusing their power and position to unfreeze the bank accounts of a prominent businessperson.
The party's state deputy chief Abdul Razib Abdul Rahim lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today over a letter purportedly sent by Thomas to Guan Eng, over the unfreezing of the businessperson's bank accounts.
Abdul Razib said the letter dated June 14 last year was posted on...
Penang PAS Youth accused former Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng and ex-Attorney General Tommy Thomas of abusing their power and position to unfreeze the bank accounts of a prominent businessperson.
The party's state deputy chief Abdul Razib Abdul Rahim lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today over a letter purportedly sent by Thomas to Guan Eng, over the unfreezing of the businessperson's bank accounts.
Abdul Razib said the letter dated June 14 last year was posted on a whistleblower site "Peniup Wisel Siber" on June 2.
Abdul Razib claimed he read the website on June 2, at about 3.30pm in his home in Kepala Batas, Penang.
He added that the letter in question was Thomas' reply to Guan Eng to unfreeze bank accounts belonging to Lim Soon Peng, who is being probed by the MACC over alleged involvement with the 1MDB financial scandal.
"In paragraph five, the letter allegedly said, based on Guan Eng's application, the AG had directed the MACC to unfreeze all accounts belonging to the businessperson," Abdul Razib told reporters when met at the anti-graft watchdog's office.
"Based on the former AG's directive, MACC had unfrozen all of Soon Peng's accounts, as confirmed by MACC deputy chief (Operations) Ahmad Khusairi Yahya," Abdul Razib said.
"I believe Guan Eng has an interest, whether directly or indirectly, that he has used his position, post, and influence as then Finance Minister to cause Thomas to issue a directive to MACC to unfreeze Soon Peng's accounts," accused Abdul Razib.
On June 1, Guan Eng told Malaysiakini that he denied any wrongdoing related to his former office.
Guan Eng insisted that during his time in the federal government, he always transferred issues that were outside his scope of responsibility to the relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, Abdul Razib levelled a similar accusation against Thomas for allegedly using his position, post, and influence to free Soon Peng's accounts.
Thomas had allegedly issued the directive despite MACC informing him that Soon Peng had yet to return RM4 million to the government.
"We hope the MACC will probe Guan Eng and Thomas under the 2009 MACC Act or any other legislation over the claims made against the duo," Abdul Razib said.
When asked about the revelation of another letter purportedly showing that former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had supported the move to release the businessperson's accounts, Abdul Razib said, "we were just informed about it".
"Whatever it is, we leave it to the MACC to investigate the claims," he added.
He was referring to former prime minister Najib Razak posting photos on social media purportedly showing letters related to the tycoon’s bank accounts.
Najib asked Guan Eng whose signatures were shown on the documents.
“Is this your handwriting and your signature mentioning Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad when seeking action from Attorney-General Tommy Thomas to lift the freeze on the businessperson's bank account?” Najib asked.
