Probe on PKR duo over but no action taken

The MACC says the A-G's Chambers has returned the investigation papers and no charges were brought against the two assemblymen.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said today that it had completed investigations on the alleged sand theft syndicate in Selangor.

However, the Attorney-General’s (A-G) Chambers had returned the investigation papers and had recommended that no further action be taken on the case.

It is not clear why no charges were brought against any individuals, but it is understood that a meeting on Feb 23 with the Operations Review Panel (PPO) may disclose more information on the
investigations into the case.

The PPO is an independent group formed by several people appointed by the government to re-study and review the decision of the A-G.

“The MACC would like to announce that investigations on Sri Muda state assemblyman Mat Suhaimi Shafiei and Batu Caves state assemblyman Amirudin Shaari have been completed and (the investigation papers) handed over to the A-G’s Chambers,” the MACC said in a statement.

It added that the A-G’s Chambers has studied the case and has returned it to the commission,” it added.

Despite the A-G’s decision not to proceed with the case, the MACC today indicated that it may not be the end of the story.

It said that investigation files will be handed over to the PPO.

Different course of action

Besides the sand theft case, other papers that would be submitted to the PPO include the National Feedlot Corporation (NFCorp) scandal and a case involving Abdul Arifffahmi Abdul Rahman, the
son-in-law of Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who was implicated in alleged
improper dealings of state subsidiaries.

The PPO members are specialists and professionals appointed by the government and the panel is chaired by Hadenan Abdul Jalil (a former auditor-general).

The seven-panel members are Cecil Abraham (solicitor and past deputy president of the Malaysian Institute of Arbitrators), Hamzah Kassim (IA Group CEO), Zamani Abdul Ghani (former special adviser and deputy Bank Negara governor, and current president of Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd), Aminah Pit Abdul Rahman (Amanah Raya Bhd independent non-executive director), Profesor Syed Noh Syed Ahmad (UiTM professor and expert in account forensics), Nik Mohd Hasyudeen Yusoff (Institut Akauntan Malaysia president), and Walter Sandosam (Audit and Assurance Standards Board member).

“MACC will submit these three cases – NFCorp, sand theft, and Abdul Arifffahmi – to the PPO in line with a set of terms of references, among them, to ‘receive and study the report from the commission in relation to the investigation papers (on the three cases) returned by the A-G’s Chambers’.”

The PPO is empowered to recommend to the A-G a different course of action related to these cases.

The MACC reiterated that all information or complaints it received are investigated without fear or favour, and regardless of political leanings, position or power of those involved.

Terms of reference

The terms of reference for the PPO include:

• Receiving and seeking clarification on the status of the investigation papers (IPs) opened by the MACC;

• Receiving and reviewing reports from the MACC on IPs of which the investigation period has exceeded 12 months;

• Receiving reports from the MACC on all cases where the arrested persons are released on bail by the MACC for more than six months;

• Receiving and reviewing reports from the MACC regarding decisions on the IPs by the public prosecutor;

• Receiving and reviewing reports from the MACC on IPs submitted to the public
  prosecutor without getting any results after a period exceeding six months;

• Providing opinions on cases where no charges were made;

• Advising and assisting MACC on the effectiveness of the operational aspects of its investigations;

• Examining, reviewing and recommending to the MACC advisory panel on proposals to increase the effectiveness of the operational aspects of investigations; and

• Submiting an annual report to the prime minister.

Yesterday, controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin implicated the two Pakatan Rakyat state assemblymen in the sand-mining scandal in Selangor.

In an article published on his Malaysia Today news portal, Mat Suhaimi and Amirudin were named as the duo who allegedly colluded with a well-heeled contractor with regard to sand-mining operations in the state.

The contractor was said to have forked out cash assistance to Mat Suhaimi for his programmes while Amirudin had provided a supporting letter to Double Dignity Sdn Bhd, the sand-mining company belonging to the contractor.

Raja Petra also published the transcripts of alleged taped telephone conversations between Mat Suhaimi and the contractor.

He also pointed out that when the sand-mining scandal erupted, the MACC appeared unable to proceed with its probe.

“Why is this? Is this because they have made a ‘deal’ with Mat Suhaimi and Amirudin, like they did with those two PKR state assemblymen from Perak who were also caught with their pants down and then jumped ship to escape going to jail?” he asked.