Uncovered – plan to tarnish Mastura’s name

Receipt for payment of RM500,000 to her legal firm in 2012 is being spread via WhatsApp to portray her as having accepted a bribe for that amount in this by-election.

KUALA KANGSAR: Barisan Nasional has detected what it describes as a last-minute dirty tactic used against its candidate, Mastura Mohd Yazid, in the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary by-election, said Perak Menteri Besar Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

He said a receipt for payment of RM500,000 made to the legal firm of Mastura, Yazid Baba & Partners in 2012 was used as campaign material to portray Mastura as having accepted a bribe for that amount in this by-election.

“The fact is the receipt is for a payment or advance made to the firm in which Mastura is a partner,” he told a press conference here today.

He said it was the norm for anyone to deposit money in a law firm for the purpose of a house purchase deposit, legal service fee or purchase of property or shares.

Zambry, who is the BN director for the Kuala Kangsar by-election, said the bank account of the firm was not a personal account and that it was audited annually by the Bar Council, and the money could not be utilised as it was unethical to do so.

“As such, there is no way that Mastura was engaged in any illegal activity.

“I urge the voters of Kuala Kangsar not to be taken in by this slander,” he said, describing it as a despicable act.

Zambry said a picture of the receipt went viral about 4pm today over WhatsApp and he had instructed for a police report to be made on the matter.

The Kuala Kangsar by-election is being held following the death of the MP and Mastura’s husband, Wan Mohammad Khair-il Annuar Wan Ahmad, in a helicopter crash in Sarawak on May 5.

It is a four-cornered contest among BN, PAS, Parti Amanah Negara and an independent candidate.

-BERNAMA