Soi Lek claims AES project may be linked to Anwar

The former Johor Umno assemblyperson whose daughter's company was awarded the controversial Automated Enforcement System (AES) project is very close to Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, according to MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek.

"He is very close to Anwar, even Anwar often visits his house when he goes there (the ex-assemblyperson's constituency)," Chua told a press conference after chairing the MCA presidential council meeting yesterday.

The former four-term Johor state executive councillor member went on to claim that the awarding of the AES project might be linked to Anwar.

PKR central committee member Chang Lih Khang revealed recently that Beta Tegap Sdn Bhd director Rozana Redzuan, who is also its biggest shareholder, is the eldest daughter of the former Peserai assemblyperson Redzuan Salim and former Sri Medan assemblyperson Atkah Abdullah.

The company and ATES Sdn Bhd were awarded the AES project by the government, which will see sophisticated cameras installed in 1,300 locations nationwide.

Chang also claimed that Rozana's cousin is a current Johor assemblyperson.

No cronyism

Anwar, a former deputy prime minister, was sacked in 1998 and subsequently jailed on a sodomy charge. He was released in 2004, after the Federal Court reversed his conviction.

Chua (right) also dismissed accusations by the opposition that the government and Transport MinisterKong Cho Ha were practising cronyism.

"I don't know how you define cronyism. Umno has about 3.5 million members and MCA now has about 1.1 million members.

"So, whatever project they do, some of these people will be awarded and that doesn't mean cronyism," he said.

He also said that discussions on the AES project began in 2005 and were still going on today, "so this is part of the political spinning that continues to be practised by Pakatan Rakyat".