Sand mining: RPK reveals ‘dirt’ on two reps

The blogger accuses two Pakatan Rakyat state assemblymen of working hand in glove with a well-heeled contractor to secure a sand mining deal in Selangor.

PETALING JAYA: Controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, who vowed to reveal the dirt on the sand-mining scandal in Selangor, has implicated two Pakatan Rakyat state assemblymen.

In an article published on his Malaysia Today news portal today, the blogger claimed that Mat Suhaimi Shafiei (Sri Muda) and Amirudin Shari (Batu Caves) had colluded with a well-heeled contractor, who forked out cash whenever requested.

Raja Petra also published the transcripts of alleged taped telephone conversations between Mat Suhaimi and the contractor, whom he referred to as “A”.

During their first conversation, the name “Azmin” had also cropped up but it could not be ascertained if this was in reference to PKR deputy president Azmin Ali.

Raja Petra claimed that on May 23, 2009, Mat Suhaimi had allegedly met the contractor at the Sunway Hotel in Seberang Prai, Penang, to discuss the sand-mining issue.

“Mat Suhaimi asked A to submit an application to mine sand to Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd with a copy to him (Mat Suhaimi). Kumpulan Semesta is a Selangor state-owned company involved in the mining and selling of sand in Selangor,” he added.

In a subsequent meeting on July 2 at Mat Suhaimi’s office, the blogger claimed that the state assemblyman had asked A to incorporate a company called Double Dignity (M) Sdn Bhd.

He added that both Mat Suhaimi and Amirudin were among the five directors of the company and their agreed fee was RM5,000 per month.

“On Jan 18, 2010, Double Dignity submitted an application to mine sand in Dengkil, an area of 45 acres. The letter was signed by A and copied to Mat Suhaimi and Amirudin.

“Amirudin supported the application and signed the ‘letter of support’,” he said.

Raja Petra also claimed that Mat Suhaimi and Amirudin were both registered as directors of Double Dignity on that same day, Jan 18.

Requests made for funds

Prior to this, the blogger claimed that Mat Suhaimi had requested for funds from A on numerous occasions and the latter obliged.

On Aug 15, 2009, Raja Petra said, the state assemblyman contacted A and asked him for RM3,000 in cash as election campaign funds and the money was handed over the next day.

“The contractor handed over another RM2,000 in cash to Mat Suhaimi on Aug 25, 2009. The meeting was held at room 1514 of the Pearl View Hotel in Seberang Prai, Penang,” he added.

Following this, the blogger claimed that on Sept 9, 2009, Mat Suhaimi had requested RM35,000 from A for “Ramadhan expenses” and the sum was given in cash when the duo met at a Nasi Kandar restaurant in USJ12.

“It was clearly stated that all this money was payment to assist Double Dignity in getting approval from Kumpulan Semesta on its application to mine sand. Mat Suhaimi told A that they would need to pay off certain people in Kumpulan Semesta,” he said.

Raja Petra claimed that on Sept 16, 2009, Mat Suhaimi informed A that he wanted to organise a “buka puasa” (breaking of fast) function. The assemblyman had asked the contractor to organise the event and foot the bill.

“The function was held on Sept 17 at the coffeehouse of the Legend Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. That same night, A paid Mat Suhaimi and Amirudin their director’s fee of RM5,000 each,” he said.

A few days later, the blogger said, Mat Suhaimi asked A for RM10,000 to hold a Hari Raya bash and the latter handed over the money to the assemblyman at the Jaya Jusco mall in Klang.

On Jan 5, 2010, Raja Petra claimed that the assemblyman had once again requested for RM50,000 from the contractor.

“This time the amount was not paid in cash like all the previous amounts but was paid directly into the bank account of Syarikat A&L Norash Enterprise (account number 100070023904) at the Affin Bank in Klang. The transaction was made on Jan 11, 2010,” he said.

According to the blogger, Norash Enterprise was owned by one Ashmali Osman and his wife, Norlela Ahmad, who were close friends of Mat Suhaimi.

“(A sum of) RM10,000 was taken out in cash, RM12,500 was paid to Farahsyamsyawati Sulaiman (banker’s cheque number 0070210000117), and RM27,500 was paid to Smart Renovators Sdn Bhd (banker’s cheque number 0070210000118) on the instructions of Mat Suhaimi,” he said.

‘Gnawing from the inside’

Raja Petra also pointed out that when the sand-mining scandal erupted, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (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.

“I suppose it is more useful to keep the investigation open and leave these two as Trojan horses in Selangor. A Trojan horse is certainly worth many times more than a man in jail,” he added.

However, he also noted that unlike Perak, which was won in 2008 on a slim majority, Pakatan had more seats in Selangor and even if the two switched camps it would not make a difference.

“So better just leave them there on a tight leash and get them to work as termites, gnawing from the inside to do as much damage as they can,” he said.

As for those who would question why Raja Petra chose to reveal these details now, the blogger retorted: “Well, then when? After nomination day and just before polling day when by then it would be too late – as Umno would probably go to town on the matter?”

“At least now Pakatan can do something about it and convince the voters it is running a clean and transparent government. Or are they not running a clean and transparent government?” he added.