Ex-Ho Hup MD lodges report over inaction on Gani

Pressure is mounting on attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail to be investigated for abuse of power and possible graft after former Ho Hup Bhd managing director Low Tuck Choy lodged a police report recently asking why the authorities have not begun investigations.

Low claimed that Ho Hup’s invoice, with Abdul Gani's name on it, which was put up on a blog last year was genuine, and questioned Deputy Minister Liew Vui Kong’s statement in parliament last month that the authorities are mulling over whether to begin investigations.

The invoice states that RM18,000 was paid by Ho Hup following electrical work on a bungalow in Seremban.

Low, 54, in his report dated July 20 which was sighted byMalaysiakini, claimed that despite reports which he lodged over the company’s affairs with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and also his complaint to the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri two years ago, no one has taken his statement.

He urged the authorities to investigate Abdul Gani “without fear or favour”.

“I refer to Liew’s statement in parliament on June 26, where he stated that the MACC are still mulling over the possibility of investigating claims that Abdul Gani had accepted bribes from a construction firm.

“I believe the construction firm referred to by Liew is Ho Hup. Based on Liew’s statement, I am of the view that MACC has not actually started to investigate Abdul Gani but is merely considering to do so. My understanding is that up to the time Liew made the statement, MACC has yet to open an investigation file against Abdul Gani,” said Low in his report.

He confirmed what was put up on the Malaysia Today blog operated by Raja Petra Kamaruddin, as a Ho Hup invoice form stating that Abdul Gani was the beneficiary, cash vouchers and a cheque dated Aug 12, 2009 amounting to RM18,000 in favour of an electrical company doing the renovations, are genuine.

Low in his report said he believe the RM18,000 payment was received and it should appear in Ho Hup’s accounts.

Gani’s involvement in Ho Hup tussle

He confirmed Abdul Gani's personal involvement in the Ho Hup boardroom tussle which began in 2008, about which he has lodged reports to the MACC and the ministry in 2010.

“In the reports to the ministry and the MACC chief commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamed, I stressed the need for the government to stay clear of interfering or showing favour to a particular party involved in inter-company commercial disputes, to the extent of abusing their authority to provide unfair advantage to the party being favoured,” said Low.

He was referring to the tussle between him and former Ho Hup deputy executive chairperson Vincent Lye, who is from Sabah and is favoured by Abdul Gani, which can be seen in various articles on the web.

Low also produced a picture of Abdul Gani sitting with Lye as further evidence in the report.

However, Low said that since he had lodged reports to the ministry and the MACC, he had not been called to assist in investigations.

“As such I reiterate my view (as to the deputy minister’s statement that there has been no investigations against the AG for abuse of power or for gratification for himself by either the MACC or the police.”

Since the report is in the public domain and since Liew’s statement in parliament, and following an article which appeared in the The Edge last week, Low stated that he had been burdened  by  inquiries as to the status of the investigations.

“I must also highlight the fact there have been feelings of eeriness and concern amongst the corporate sector if nothing is done to investigate the AG, although proof of him receiving gratification to take sides and abuse of his powers in a commercial dispute is in abundance.”

“I am lodging this police report to urge the authorities to commence investigation against Abdul Gani and I am ready willing and able to assist the authorities to get to the bottom of the matter for the sake of justice and good governance,” said Low in the report.

Selective prosecution

Low is presently facing prosecution when he was charged at the Kuala Lumpur magistrate court with non-timely disclosure of his assets by failing to notify the changes in his interest in the company within seven days as required under Section 67F(2) of the Companies Act 1965.

It was reported that the MACC had raided Ho Hup’s office sometime in early September last year, and this was also verified by Low in his report.

Abdul Gani has denied any involvement or receive gratification in the Ho Hup affair, but Social Just Care chairperson Robert Phang hascalled on Abdul Gani to come clean in the investigations.

It was also reported that the MACC is keeping mum over the allegations.

Previously, Abdul Gani was also alleged to have received gratification over his and his family’s haj trip which was claimed to be paid by an alleged shady character, Shahidan Shafie. However, he had reputedly been cleared by the MACC. Even the Malaysian Bar has raised questions over the affair.

Besides this, Abdul Gani is also alleged to be involved in framing former Commercial Crimes Investigation Department director Ramli Yusuff and his men in Copgate, and also in Anwar Ibrahim’s black-eye investigations as alleged by former Kuala Lumpur CID chief Mat Zain Ibrahim.