'Arrest Shahrizat's husband for bribery'

PKR has urged for the arrest of Mohamad Salleh Ismail, the husband of Wanita UMNO head Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, for an attempt to bribe the police and MACC officials who were investigating the scandal-plagued National Feedlot Corporation which he chairs.

Referring to the arrest of businessman Shamsubahrin Ismail for allegedly trying to bribe investigators in the probe, PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli said Shamsubahrin was just a middleman for Salleh.

Saying it had sources to confirm that the 'consultation fee' paid by Salleh to Shamsubahrin was to be handed to investigators, PKR said Salleh should also be arrested and charged for bribery.

"PKR has ascertained through sources that the RM1.755 million Mohamad Salleh paid was intended to bribe police and MACC investigators. Shamsubahrin was just the middleman, in collusion with Mohamad Salleh,” said Rafizi, adding that the money had been disguised as 'consultation fee'.

Shamsubahrin, 45, was charged on December 30 for cheating Salleh of RM1.755 million for consultation services which he knew he could not deliver.

The businessman was arrested on December 22 for attempting to bribe investigating officers in the NFC probe, and had his remand extended three times before being charged in court.

Citing Section 4 (16) and 4(17) of the MACC Act 2009, which states that any person who offers money in person, via a middleman or with other persons, can be found guilty and charged with the offence, Rafizi insisted that Salleh could be found guilty of attempted bribery as well.

“This is based on the fact that Salleh had prepared the money for bribery by signing a cheque for RM1.755 million. Secondly, Salleh also agreed to Shamsubahrin’s proposal to persuade the MACC and police officers by preparing the money,” he said.

According to Rafizi, Shamsubahrin was a "fall guy" in the dealing.

“It is regrettable that the authority still wants to protect Salleh and the family of the senior minister although it is clear that he was involved in attempted bribery to cover the bigger fund abuse in NFC,” he lamented.

-Harakahdaily