Whose boss is scared? MB's aide takes on PM's aide

In a case of aide versus aide, Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali's aide opened fire on Rizal Mansor, who is an aide to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's wife Rosmah Mansor.

Shuhaimi Shafiei, who is Azmin's political secretary, was responding to Rizal urging the Selangor government not to be afraid with regard to a MACC probe.

In a statement this evening, the menteri besar's aide claimed that it was Najib and Umno/BN who are afraid of the truth.

“The Selangor government is not the least afraid of an MACC investigation if it is done in a professional manner,” he said.

Referring to Rizal (photo) as the “errand boy” of Najib and Rosmah, Shuhaimi reminded Rizal that Azmin had repeatedly said that MACC is welcomed to investigate agencies under his administration.

“However, we hope any investigation done is transparent and open, not 'selective investigation' or 'selective prosecution', including 'double standard',” he added.

Shuhaimi also said it was incumbent upon Rizal to disclose the reason for the prime minister not having the courage to address questions related to 1MDB in Parliament.

'Who does not actually walk the talk?'

He also noted how the auditor-general's report on 1MDB has been classified under the Official Secrets Act (OSA).

“So, who does not actually walk the talk?” he asked.

Yesterday, Rizal accused the opposition of being hypocritical about MACC investigations.

He said although the opposition claims it is prepared to be investigated on allegations of corruption, dissatisfaction is voiced when the authorities swing into action according to the law.

However, Rizal said, when government officials or BN politicians are investigated, the opposition sings a different tune.

“Suddenly, the opposition supports the MACC's actions (in these cases).

“In fact, the opposition goes one step further in making the conclusion that those investigated are guilty, even before this is proven in court,” he said.

Rizal added that when investigations are carried out against the opposition, it is considered a conspiracy and abuse of power.

On Tuesday, MACC carried out simultaneous raids on five locations in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, which included the main campus and office of Universiti Selangor (Unisel), two offices belonging to contractor Jana Niaga Sdn Bhd and the office of Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI).

MACC officers confiscated 10 boxes of documents related to payments made by MBI to Jana Niaga for maintenance work of student accommodations at the Unisel main campus in Bestari Jaya.

News reports quoted sources as claiming that MBI paid Jana Niaga via two transactions of RM10 million and RM6 million in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

Following this, the strategy communications director in the menteri besar's office, Yin Shao Loong, said the agreement involving Unisel and Jana Niaga did not involve Azmin personally.

Yin also claimed that the MACC's raids were intended to tarnish the state government's image. - Mkini