‘Assets fell short of repayment but Rina cleared of corruption charges?’
Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng urges MACC for explanation on how women’s minister settled debt
It’s like a magic show, says Lim Guan Eng of how several MPs being investigated for going against the government had their charges dropped after turning administration-friendly independents. – The Vibes file pic, September 15, 2021
KUALA LUMPUR – Lim Guan Eng (Bagan-PH) today poured scorn on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) decision to clear women’s minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun (Titiwangsa-Bersatu) of graft, seeking an explanation from Putrajaya how this could happen.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, Lim questioned the women, family and community development minister’s ability to settle her debt amounting to more than RM1 million when her declared assets fell way short of the repayment.
“In 2019, her assets declared were only RM72,000. Now, MACC is saying its investigation found that there is no element of corruption.
“If there is no case, can the government explain how from an asset of RM72,000, she was able to repay RM1.3 million in debt. Where did the money come from?
“In the spirit of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the government and Pakatan Harapan recently, can an answer be given on this matter? I hope at least the MACC can explain.”
Lim said this in debating the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s opening address of the current parliamentary session.
His remark is in relation to a written parliamentary reply by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Bera-BN) to a question from Hannah Yeoh (Segambut-PH) yesterday on the status of the MACC investigation into Rina.
Earlier this year, several quarters urged for Rina to be investigated after she settled her debt of RM1.34 million to a Paris-based film production company, questioning her source of income.
In Ismail Sabri’s reply, he said the probe is complete and the authorities found no wrongdoing on her part.
Lim today urged the government not to abuse MACC as a political weapon to benefit itself.
He brought up how several opposition MPs have been investigated, charged and threatened with action when they went against the government, but had their cases dropped immediately upon switching allegiances.
“It’s like a magic show. This is not the MACC that the rakyat want. What they want is an MACC that fights corruption, not covers it up.”
Previously, a number of opposition leaders alleged their MPs were threatened with action if they did not support the government.
A number of lawmakers from the opposition, including Kuala Langat MP Datuk Xavier Jayakumar, who were previously under investigation, have also seen their cases dropped once they turned government-friendly independents. – The Vibes, September 15, 2021
KUALA LUMPUR – Lim Guan Eng (Bagan-PH) today poured scorn on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) decision to clear women’s minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun (Titiwangsa-Bersatu) of graft, seeking an explanation from Putrajaya how this could happen.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, Lim questioned the women, family and community development minister’s ability to settle her debt amounting to more than RM1 million when her declared assets fell way short of the repayment.
“In 2019, her assets declared were only RM72,000. Now, MACC is saying its investigation found that there is no element of corruption.
“If there is no case, can the government explain how from an asset of RM72,000, she was able to repay RM1.3 million in debt. Where did the money come from?
“In the spirit of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the government and Pakatan Harapan recently, can an answer be given on this matter? I hope at least the MACC can explain.”
Lim said this in debating the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s opening address of the current parliamentary session.
His remark is in relation to a written parliamentary reply by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Bera-BN) to a question from Hannah Yeoh (Segambut-PH) yesterday on the status of the MACC investigation into Rina.
Earlier this year, several quarters urged for Rina to be investigated after she settled her debt of RM1.34 million to a Paris-based film production company, questioning her source of income.
In Ismail Sabri’s reply, he said the probe is complete and the authorities found no wrongdoing on her part.
Lim today urged the government not to abuse MACC as a political weapon to benefit itself.
He brought up how several opposition MPs have been investigated, charged and threatened with action when they went against the government, but had their cases dropped immediately upon switching allegiances.
“It’s like a magic show. This is not the MACC that the rakyat want. What they want is an MACC that fights corruption, not covers it up.”
Previously, a number of opposition leaders alleged their MPs were threatened with action if they did not support the government.
A number of lawmakers from the opposition, including Kuala Langat MP Datuk Xavier Jayakumar, who were previously under investigation, have also seen their cases dropped once they turned government-friendly independents. – The Vibes, September 15, 2021
In Malaysia, it's been made legal to accept funds from anyone, as long as it is labelled a "Donation".
ReplyDeleteOr alternatively labelled an "Advance".
The politicised MACC considers both as legal, as current Corruption prosecutions that were initiated during Tommy Thomas term as AG have been withdrawn , resulting in acquittal.
Only in Najib's case , it has proven impossible to gratuitously drop the SRC and 1MDB cases because Gopal Sri Ram was appointed an independent prosecutor.
ReplyDeleteThat is why Najib is trying, by hook or by Crook to get Sri Ram dismissed as the prosecutor for his trials.
I haven't heard of any precedent where the accused gets to pick the prosecutor.
Khairy talks of living with Covid-19 as it is going to be endemic.
ReplyDeleteCorruption is already way ahead - no thanks to a half past six corruption agency that I think its HK mentor would be ashamed to have been associated with.
Ironically the HK ICAC was created by modelling itself on the original Malaysian ACA (the forefather of the current MACC)
Delete