Jamaluddin released, Perak MB seeks apology

Perak exco member Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi was released on a RM20,000 Anti-Corruption Agency bail today after his two-day remand period expired.

He was arrested by the ACA on Wednesday and was remanded for two days yesterday to assist the agency in their investigations into a RM180 million housing project scandal.

Jamaluddin (photo, right) was arrested at 10.30am on Wednesday when he surrendered himself to the ACA.

Jamaluddin and five others were detained for alleged graft in relation to a housing project in Seri Iskandar, about 30-minute drive south of Ipoh.

Apart from Jamaluddin, the other state exco held was Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu.

The remaining five were released yesterday.

'Aug 31 plan has failed'

Meanwhile, Perak Menteri Besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin has accused ACA of making false claims in relation to the arrests.

Contrary to claims by the ACA, Nizar said the duo were not detained at a hotel nor has the state government approved a RM180 million housing project in Seri Iskandar.

He called on ACA to publicly apologise to the two exco members.

Should the ACA fail to apologise, Nizar said legal action would be initiated to clear the name of the two individuals and the state government.

PKR leaders have hinted that the case was apparently linked to the bid by the BN opposition to get at least two government assemblypersons to cross over to them.

According to Sin Chew Daily, Jamaluddin was all smiles when he was released and told reporters that, "the Aug 31 plan has failed".

Jamaluddin was referring to Perak Umno liason chief Tajol Rosli’s earlier declaration that the Pakatan Rakyat government in Perak would collapse come independence day.

The Pakatan government has a slim three-seat majority over BN.

Sexual favours

The six individuals arrested by the ACA were said to have solicited bribes and sexual favours from a businessman to expedite applications for the housing project.

In a rare move on Wednesday, Perak ACA director Samsiah Abu Bakar divulged volumes of details on the arrests.

She said that RM100,000 was in a bag belonging to one of the suspects and that five of them were arrested at a hotel at 6pm, Tuesday.

Samsiah added that more than RM20,000 exchanged hands last week and the ACA had acted on a public tipoff.

The ACA rarely reveals details of its investigations and circumstances of arrest before bringing the matter to court.

Both the ACA and government have denied that the arrests were politically motivated.