'HK lawmaker says possibility to charge Musa is high'

The possibility is high that Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman could be charged with money laundering by Hong Kong authorities, according to PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli who quoted the territory's legislative council member.

Yesterday Rafizi (left) along with four other PKR leaders flew to Hong Kong to submit 'new evidence' related to Musa's alleged logging commission to Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

The evidence was also submitted to James To, a Hong Kong legislative council member who is also the vice-chairperson of the council's security panel, the supervisory body for ICAC.

"The meeting with To was fruitful... To told the delegation that there is a high possibility that Musa can be charged for money laundering as the related laws in Hong Kong are stricter compared with other countries.

"If found guilty, Hong Kong authorities can issue an arrest warrant through Interpol and it can be enforced in Malaysia," said Rafizi in a statement today.

He believed that the documents submitted to ICAC including bank statements and transaction records related to businessman Michael Chia are new, not obtained by the anti-graft body before.

The truth will out

The statutory declaration by former Sabah Umno leader Lajim Ukin (right) who claimed that he had never been informed about the RM40 million political contribution to Sabah Umno, is one of the documents handed over to ICAC.

"I am confident that ICAC will call a secret witness who has come forward to give a statement and further information related to Chia.

"I am also confident that Lajim will be called to give his statement in Hong Kong," said Rafizi.

He revealed that ICAC had requested their cooperation in refraining from making further statements on the case to protect the investigation's confidentiality.

Rafizi believed that the request shows that ICAC views the case seriously and will take further actions, including calling for witnesses.

"Although ICAC will not officially confirm that the case will be reopened, the seriousness and attention given to the case indicate that full investigation will follow."

He added that PKR will explain the latest status of the case to Malaysians in order to exert pressure on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and attorney-general to probe the case again.

The other four PKR leaders who accompanied Rafizi to Hong Kong were Selayang MP William Leong, Petaling Jaya Selatan MP Hee Loy Sian , Teja state assemblyperson Chang Li Kang and deputy secretary-general and Penampang division chief Darell Leiking.