PM, DPM’s aides accused of taking kickbacks

The two aides and a deputy minister were named in an anonymous blog claiming to have evidence of their involvement in corruption.

KUALA LUMPUR: Allegations of corruption against top government officials, including two aides linked to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin, have surfaced in an anonymous blog.

Written by one “TheWhistleblower711”, the blog claims to have evidence – in the form of documents and informants – to also implicate a deputy minister of improper conduct.

The blog has so far named three government officials whom the author claimed have been “bought” by one businessman for the purpose of obtaining contracts from the federal government and its agencies.

The author claimed that the businessman, whom he identified as a managing director of two companies and who is also an Umno leader in Johor, had been channellling several thousands of “monthly contributions” to the government officials.

Proof of these contributions was published in the blog in the form of scans of several cash deposit slips, together with serial numbers. These were alleged to be the personal accounts of the
government officials.

The two aides were described by TheWhistleblower711 as “highly-placed, influential” government officials who have “full access” to the nation’s top leadership.

Najib’s aide, TheWhistleblower711 claimed, had been receiving monthly contributions of RM5,000 from the businessman amounting to RM170,000 as of May 2011. The contributions had allegedly started since August 2008.

The author claimed that the modus operandi of the businessman was to issue and cash out the cheques at a well-known bank. Then a deposit, of either a partial or full amount, would be put into the personal accounts of the government officials. (However, the cheques were never “physically” cashed out but contra with the deposit.)

As for Muhyiddin’s aide, the author said he had been receiving RM10,000 monthly contributions since February, 2010. The amount added up to RM160,000 as of May 2011.

Tip of the iceberg

For the deputy minister, TheWhistleblower711 claimed that the politician, who is also a senator, had been receiving contributions of RM10,000 since January 2011, from the same individual.

TheWhistleblower711 claimed that the businessman had obtained contracts for the maintenance of two federal government buildings in Johor and a few days later, a sum of RM80,000, which was issued by the businessman’s company in the form of two cheques, was contra with a deposit to the deputy minister’s personal account.

The author asked: “If these deposits are legit, why would the cheques be ‘cashed out’ and then contra with a deposit to the receivers’ account? What are the roles played by these two government officials…for them to receive monthly salary…?”

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), according to TheWhistleblower711, has been informed of the matter several months ago. However, the author added: “To date, we have not seen any concrete action being taken against the perpetrators – both the giver and the takers.”

Promising more postings, the author, who said he would be invoking the new Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, added: “This is just the tip of the iceberg; more and more information is still being gathered by my sources and informers. The web weaved here is far more complex than anyone can imagine.”

Contacted by FMT, the author declined to reveal more information. In an e-mail reply, TheWhistleblower711 said: “For now I would appreciate it if you could just cite my blog as your source of information and publish it in your online news. I hope you do understand my
predicament. I have many people to protect so that information will keep pouring in.”

“All I’m asking is a truly fair and just investigation to be conducted by the MACC regardless of who is involved even if it is the prime minister himself. The Attorney-General’s Chambers must not be selective in making prosecution,” said TheWhistleblower711.

When contacted, Najib’s press secretary, Joan Lai, declined to comment on the allegations: “This is an era of allegations in anonymous blogs. I’m not going to comment on anything. Thanks for calling.”