MACC probes PR 7, mostly from dap

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is probing seven Pakatan Rakyat Selangor state reps in relation to the use of state funds in their respective constituencies.

Speaking at a press conference in Shah Alam, senior state exco Teresa Kok said files pertaining to the state allocation to each of the seven constituencies were confiscated by MACC from the state Land and Mineral Office two weeks ago.

“I want to ask what is our crime. As state reps, we have to provide funds to anyone that we feel is in need of help. Why are we being harassed?

“Why only seven of us? Is it because all of us are Chinese?” she asked, noting that all seven constituencies fell under the Petaling district.

The seven are Kok (Kinrara), Hannah Yeoh (Subang), Elizabeth Wong (Bukit Lanjan), Ean Yong Hian Wah (Sri Kembangan), Dr Cheah Wing Yin (Damansara Utama), Edward Lee (Bukit Gasing) and Lau Weng San (Kampung Tunku).

All state reps are allocated RM500,000 annually by the state government which can be used for community projects, welfare, infrastructure and other matters.

Surau probe

Kok said other than the seven state reps, even groups that have received the state funds are being probed and this was a form of harassment.

“In my case, I allocated RM10,000 to a surau in Puchong. Now the iman and the surau committee were interviewed for several hours two days ago. They will be interviewed again tonight,” she said.

Several of the surau committee members were also present during Kok’s press conference.

Meanwhile, Bukit Lanjan’s Wong said the organiser of a Deepavali event in her constituency was also called up by MACC for investigations.

“He felt scared. He said he did not do anything wrong and wants to know why he was being probed,” she said.

Wong alleged that MACC’s ongoing probe was a scare tactic and abuse of power. She said she would be complaining to MACC advisory board chair Haniff Omar soon.

She lamented that MACC had yet to act on Pakatan’s complaint that the previous Barisan Nasional state reps had spent all the funds within the first two months of last year before losing control of Selangor.

“We complained, but no action has been taken and now they are probing us. They need to explain why,” she said.

Khir sues Lau

In another development, Kampung Tunku’s Lau said he would not apologise or retract an article in his blog which carried his emergency motion to discuss Selangor opposition leader Dr Mohd Khir Toyo’s lavish mansion.

Lau said when he received the RM20 million letter of demand on Saturday, the 48-hour deadline specified in the letter had already lapsed.

He posted the contents of his emergency motion on Thursday, after it was rejected by speaker Teng Chang Khim.

Earlier today, Khir told reporters that he took legal action against Lau to clear his name and was less concerned about the money.

“If I get the RM20 million, I will take you all on a holiday. It is not about the money. I want to clear my name,” he said.

Khir’s mansion in Section 7 Shah Alam is the subject of controversy as he has been accused of owning a home way beyond his means.

Andrew Ong, Mkini