ACA clears Monsoon Cup of graft claims
Muda Mohd NoorPublished: Oct 17, 2008 2:28 AM | Updated: Oct 17, 2008 2:43 AM
The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) has not found any element of abuse of power or corruption behind the Monsoon Cup, a high-end sailing event held annually in Terengganu.
The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) has not found any element of abuse of power or corruption behind the Monsoon Cup, a high-end sailing event held annually in Terengganu.
At a press conference yesterday, director-general Ahmad Said Hamdan said the anti-graft body has completed its investigations into the complaint.
“Our investigations indicated that there were no elements of corruption involved in the Monsoon Cup event. This is a world class event, (if there was any corruption involved) it would not only affect the reputation of Terengganu, but Malaysia as well,” he said.
The allegations came to light when PAS and PKR Youth members lodged a complaint with the ACA on July 29.
The report was lodged following a statement by Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Said (right) that the ACA should probe the Monsoon Cup. At the time, he himself was fighting allegations of corruption.
The organiser is T-Best Sdn Bhd, but 42.9 percent of the shares are owned by the Terengganu government, with the rest held by private company Prestasi Wangi Sdn Bhd.
‘Let PAC complete probe’
The ACA head was also asked at the press conference if he had received a copy of a letter by Capt (rtd) Zahar Hashim containing allegations of corruption involving the purchase of military choppers.
According to Zahar, the letter addressed to then Defence Minister and current Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had also been sent to other government agencies including the ACA.
Ahmad Said responded that his agency has yet to receive the letter and that no report has been lodged on the matter.
“I have not seen the letter yet,” he said, adding that it would be best to let the Public Accounts Committee investigate the matter first.
PAC decided yesterday that its next meeting would discuss the controversy surrounding the tender process for the procurement of new helicopters for the armed forces.
Chairperson Azmi Khalid said the PAC will seek clarification from the relevant agencies.
"We will see first, I don't want to jump the gun. That is why we need a briefing first as I am not going to pre-empt this," he said.
At a press conference yesterday, director-general Ahmad Said Hamdan said the anti-graft body has completed its investigations into the complaint.“Our investigations indicated that there were no elements of corruption involved in the Monsoon Cup event. This is a world class event, (if there was any corruption involved) it would not only affect the reputation of Terengganu, but Malaysia as well,” he said.
The allegations came to light when PAS and PKR Youth members lodged a complaint with the ACA on July 29.
The report was lodged following a statement by Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Said (right) that the ACA should probe the Monsoon Cup. At the time, he himself was fighting allegations of corruption.The organiser is T-Best Sdn Bhd, but 42.9 percent of the shares are owned by the Terengganu government, with the rest held by private company Prestasi Wangi Sdn Bhd.
‘Let PAC complete probe’
The ACA head was also asked at the press conference if he had received a copy of a letter by Capt (rtd) Zahar Hashim containing allegations of corruption involving the purchase of military choppers.
According to Zahar, the letter addressed to then Defence Minister and current Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had also been sent to other government agencies including the ACA.Ahmad Said responded that his agency has yet to receive the letter and that no report has been lodged on the matter.
“I have not seen the letter yet,” he said, adding that it would be best to let the Public Accounts Committee investigate the matter first.
PAC decided yesterday that its next meeting would discuss the controversy surrounding the tender process for the procurement of new helicopters for the armed forces.
Chairperson Azmi Khalid said the PAC will seek clarification from the relevant agencies."We will see first, I don't want to jump the gun. That is why we need a briefing first as I am not going to pre-empt this," he said.
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