The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) scored for proceeding to charge former Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo for corruption.But there is a lot more under the carpet that needs to be exposed, said Sekinchan DAP assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim.
Yesterday, Khir and Ditamas Sdn Bhd director Shamsuddin Haryoni, pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption at Shah Alam Sessions Court.Ng, who first claimed that Khir's mansion in Shah Alam cost an alleged RM24 million, said:"For now the prosecution is adequate but there are many other allegations that must be investigated."
Ng claimed that the 50,000 sq feet or 0.5ha property was constructed at an estimated cost of RM20 million while the land was bought at a price of RM3.8 million.Khir was charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code, for knowingly accepting a bribe, in form of two plots of land and a mansion - located at No. 8 and 10, Jalan Suasa 7/1 L, Shah Alam, for himself and his wife Zaharah Kechik - at a substantially discounted price from Shamsuddin.
Shamsuddin was charged under the same provision, as well as under Section 109 of the Penal Code for allegedly abetting Khir.If found guilty, Khir, 45, faces two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both.
What is MACC waiting for?
The MACC begin scrutinising Ng's claims July last year and in Sept interrogated Khir for six hours over the mansion and state-funded trips when he was menteri besar."This (mansion) is just the tip of the iceberg... who knows how much more he has amassed in the eight years he was menteri besar?" asked Ng.
Ng was referring to the allegations fired at Khir by the Special Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) regarding RM1.6 million spent on overseas trips.During the inquiry it was exposed that Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB), the state investment arm, had spent heavily to pay for Khir and his entourage to visit Disneyland in Paris, France and in Orlando, United States.
PNSB chief executive officer Khairiyah Abu Hassan told Selcat the company which also funded Khir's wife, their three children and their maid, was preparing to set up a 20 to 21-acres theme park in Bagan Lalang."Even PNSB admitted it, so what is there for Khir to deny and why is the MACC sitting on this issue?
"If MACC wants to seen to being effective they must charge Khir for the Disneyland matter as well and within a month," added Ng.The probe however did not hear Khir's defence as he refused to attend the inquiry for which he was subsequently booted out of the state assembly.
The inquiry had also looked into the more than RM1 million in sponsorship received by the Wives of Selangor State Assemblymen and MPs' Charity and Welfare Organisation (Balkis) from state-owned and private companies.Zaharah was Balkis chairperson during Khir's tenure as menteri besar and she had also refused to attend the inquiry which was looking to see if there was any wrongdoing in the charity organisation.
Much to be uncovered
Meanwhile in a report in the Harakah daily, PAS vice-president Saluhuddin Ayub said the MACC's move in charging Khir was a move in the right direction. but it was just a fraction of major corruption cases."Under former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's administration we have seen (prominent businessman) Eric Chia and (former land and co-operative development minister) Kasitah Gaddam similarly charged in 2004.
"But the cases were eventually dropped prior to the general election," he said adding that a similar trend is being set as there is talk of an early general election.
Yesterday, Khir and Ditamas Sdn Bhd director Shamsuddin Haryoni, pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption at Shah Alam Sessions Court.Ng, who first claimed that Khir's mansion in Shah Alam cost an alleged RM24 million, said:"For now the prosecution is adequate but there are many other allegations that must be investigated."
Ng claimed that the 50,000 sq feet or 0.5ha property was constructed at an estimated cost of RM20 million while the land was bought at a price of RM3.8 million.Khir was charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code, for knowingly accepting a bribe, in form of two plots of land and a mansion - located at No. 8 and 10, Jalan Suasa 7/1 L, Shah Alam, for himself and his wife Zaharah Kechik - at a substantially discounted price from Shamsuddin.
Shamsuddin was charged under the same provision, as well as under Section 109 of the Penal Code for allegedly abetting Khir.If found guilty, Khir, 45, faces two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both.
What is MACC waiting for?
The MACC begin scrutinising Ng's claims July last year and in Sept interrogated Khir for six hours over the mansion and state-funded trips when he was menteri besar."This (mansion) is just the tip of the iceberg... who knows how much more he has amassed in the eight years he was menteri besar?" asked Ng.
Ng was referring to the allegations fired at Khir by the Special Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) regarding RM1.6 million spent on overseas trips.During the inquiry it was exposed that Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB), the state investment arm, had spent heavily to pay for Khir and his entourage to visit Disneyland in Paris, France and in Orlando, United States.
PNSB chief executive officer Khairiyah Abu Hassan told Selcat the company which also funded Khir's wife, their three children and their maid, was preparing to set up a 20 to 21-acres theme park in Bagan Lalang."Even PNSB admitted it, so what is there for Khir to deny and why is the MACC sitting on this issue?
"If MACC wants to seen to being effective they must charge Khir for the Disneyland matter as well and within a month," added Ng.The probe however did not hear Khir's defence as he refused to attend the inquiry for which he was subsequently booted out of the state assembly.
The inquiry had also looked into the more than RM1 million in sponsorship received by the Wives of Selangor State Assemblymen and MPs' Charity and Welfare Organisation (Balkis) from state-owned and private companies.Zaharah was Balkis chairperson during Khir's tenure as menteri besar and she had also refused to attend the inquiry which was looking to see if there was any wrongdoing in the charity organisation.
Much to be uncovered
Meanwhile in a report in the Harakah daily, PAS vice-president Saluhuddin Ayub said the MACC's move in charging Khir was a move in the right direction. but it was just a fraction of major corruption cases."Under former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's administration we have seen (prominent businessman) Eric Chia and (former land and co-operative development minister) Kasitah Gaddam similarly charged in 2004.
"But the cases were eventually dropped prior to the general election," he said adding that a similar trend is being set as there is talk of an early general election.
Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/150190
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