RM3mil bungalow steams up Malaysia's alleged actress-minister sex scandal

PKR Women's chief Zuraida Kamaruddin is one brave lady. When it comes to corruption, she won't throw in the towel and has said as much of the Zahida Rafik-Shafie Apdal alleged sex scandal despite a threat of legal action.

Zuraida helped to expose the scandal last week, for which she has received a letter from Zahida's lawyer, demanding that she retract her accusations that the actress and the Umno minister were having an affair.

“I did not expect to receive a letter from Zahida, I thought Shafie was the one who wants to sue me. And why is this actress using the prominent Umno-linked lawyer?” Zuraida told a press conference on Wednesday.

The Ampang MP was referring to top Umno legal eagle Shafee Abdullah who was also in the news of late. Earlier this month, Shafee wrote to the Chief Justice that he had been sent overseas on a 'secret mission' by Prime Minister Najib Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor. It prompted speculation that the mission related to allegations Najib had taken bribes from French arms maker DCN in the Scorpene corruption trial, which has just begun in Paris.

Huge bungalow in classy enclave

But even as Zahida, through her lawyer, demanded that Zuraida retracted her comments within 7 days, another scandal has broken out.

In the news are pictures of a spanking new and huge bungalow said to be worth at least RM3million that the actress had shifted into about a year ago. (scroll below for larger pic)

According to Harakah, the house is located at the prestigious new address of 'The Valley' in Bukit Indah, Ampang, and believed to belong to the actress. Her former driver recently alleged she received payments in cash from the minister totaling RM1.5 million over a 4 month period.

A source told Harakah that the actress spent an additional RM1 million on renovations. The house, equipped with CCTV cameras as well as a guardhouse, was bought under the name of a family member, added the source.

As for Shafie, the Rural and Regional Development minister, he has refuted the allegations and threatened to sue his accusers.

“It is not true and is just a story made up by certain people. I have no problems in carrying out my duties because I know that I am on the right track,” Shafie, the Semporna MP, told the Star.

Not the first time

But the scandal is not new. The rumors have been around for a while, forcing Shafie and Zahida to issue a previous denial. However, in recent weeks Zahida herself had lodged a police report that her driver Noor Azman Azemi had absconded with RM200,000 of her cash.

That spurred Noor Azman, 38, to file in his own report spilling the beans. According to Noor Azman, he was once approached by two police officers with a message from Shafie to keep a close watch on Zahida.

He claimed he was given the job of chauffeuring Zahida to any hotel in the capital to meet the UMNO vice president, and at each appointment, Shafie would hand him cash worth between RM100,000 and RM200,000, which was to be deposited into Zahida's bank account.

Fearing reprisals, one of his relatives handed a copy of his police report to Zuraida, the Ampang MP. She then held a press conference with lawyer and Subang MP Sivarasa Rasiah, demanding a clarification from Shafie within 7 days.

“I will call a press conference and come up with the evidence and witnesses if there is a need. But for now, let’s just concentrate on Bersih 3.0 on Saturday,” said Zuraida, adding that she had "solid" evidence.

Could Zahida earn so much? Look at P Ramlee ...

Certainly, given the huge amounts mentioned and the police reports lodged, there are grounds for the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission and the Inland Revenue to investigate not just Shafie Apdal but also Zahida.

The 58-year-old Sabah-born Muslim leader would definitely not be able to afford such a lifestyle on his minister's pay if the allegations are true. He is also married and a father of 6.

The same goes for Zahida, who is considered as a starlet. Even renowned stars in the under-developed Malay film industry would not earn anywhere near enough to splash around the cash that she has accused her driver of stealing from her.

Even Malaysia's 'lagenda' P Ramlee died a pauper. Just last week, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall or DBKL sealed off his very modest and even shabby house in Taman Setapak, Kuala Lumpur after his family failed to pay quit rent arrears amounting to some RM10,000. The matter was resolved after Members of Parliament passed the hat around and collected enough to pay off DBKL.

Indeed, social injustice in Malaysia is worsening as the gap between the rich and poor keeps getting wider, with the ruling elite hiding behind their political power to get away with just about anything, including even murder - so to speak.

Malaysia Chronicle