Follow my example, Phang tells Shahrizat

Below is the article & Comments from Malaysia Kini 

  
Former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) advisor Robert Phang today called on Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin to follow his example, and resign in the face of corruption allegations.

"When I was in the MACC advisory board, I highlighted a lot of irregularities against former Selangor Menteri Besar Khir Toyo and former MAS chairperson Tajudin Ramli, then a blogger came out and accused me of bribery for government contracts.

"I stood up and offered to resign from the advisory board because the MACC have to investigate. I cannot be there or people would say that I am trying to influence the investigation, " he said.

Similarly the honourable thing for Shahrizat and Awang to do would be to resign, said Phang (right) at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.He added that the two should remain outside the government until cleared as their presence discredits Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's administration.



"Najib is working very hard to attract foreign direct investment but every time he comes back to Malaysia he has to worry about damage control," he said.

'Duo have contravened MACC act'

Frustrated at the lack of action, the anti-graft activist who is pursuing a law degree quoted sections of the MACC Act in which he says the two are guilty of:

• For Shahrizat - Section 23(1) of MACC Act reads: "Any officer of public body who uses his office or position for gratification, whether for himself, his relative or associate, commits an offence."; and,

The section adds that the officer is presumed to have abused his position until proven otherwise if he has made any decision in which he or his relatives or associates have a vested interest.

• For Awang - Section 21(1) of the MACC Act reads: "Any officer of any public body who solicits or accepts any gratification as inducement or reward for aiding in procuring, expediting, delaying, hindering or preventing the performance of any official or to show favour or disfavour has committed an offence."

Shahrizat's husband Mohamad Salleh Ismail who is executive chairperson of National Feedlot Corporation is accused of mismanaging a RM250 million government soft loan while Awang is alleged to have received cash contribution through his personal bank account.

"Awang's case is the worst, he has admitted taking money, how can someone receive money without getting anything in return?" said Phang.

MACC blitz a distraction

He also questioned whether the recent year-end corruption prosecution blitz, including the conviction of former Selangor Menteri Besar Khir Toyo (right), was intended to distract the public from the corruption allegations against the duo.

"I hope when there is consensus in the MACC to prosecute someone, the Attorney-General chambers will respect that decision instead of doing selective prosecution."

The outspoken social activist has been a fierce critic of Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail.During his tenure as MACC advisor, Phang in 2010, had urged Abdul Gani to explain his alleged close ties with former Malaysia Airlines chairperson Tajudin Ramli who was then being investigated for graft.

However, Phang resigned from the MACC advisory panel early this year after an anonymous blogger accused him of attempts to bribe senior government officials in exchange for contracts.The MACC has since cleared him of any wrongdoing.Phang said he will compile all information on the allegations against Shahrizat and Awang and submit them to Najib on Jan 10.


Comments

Trumpet call Praise God for people of high integrity like Tan Sri Robert who is not afraid to be challenged and in the final analysis, come through clean and stronger. People like him can speak with their heads held up high and we all listen unlike the crooked politicians we have who abused their high office for dirty money. When the corrupted Ministers make their speeches, people despise them and even curse them under their breath. No matter how rich they are, it's all ill gotten gains that cannot see the light of day. Shame on them all!

Gen. Half Track Mr Phang, Thankfully there are still honorable people like you around. Any one who can catch Ghani by the pa-tail has to have guts. We need more people like you.

Source :  http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/185365