Rizalman: Why was MACC keen on my urine test results?

Embattled Bandar Tun Razak Umno division chief Rizalman Mokhtar told his division deputies last night that he was the target of an elaborate plot to engineer his political downfall.

In a video uploaded by former division secretary Zaharin Mohd Yasin, Rizalman is seen explaining to senior division members the circumstances of his arrest at a nightclub on Monday morning and subsequent accusations of drug abuse which he said were highly suspect.

Recalling how the drama unfolded, Rizalman said he had arrived at the nightspot at about 11.30pm after receiving an impromptu invitation from a friend for a karaoke session there.

"At about 2am, the room was suddenly ambushed by MACC and police personnel. They only targetted our room. It was not a (major) operation where they went from room to room. They went straight for Room 202.

"They asked for our identity cards and wanted to know what we were drinking. We were then brought to the police station. All this happened in 15 minutes," he said.

'They watched me pee'

At the police station, Rizalman said things got stranger. All 12 detainees were subjected to a urine test supervised by MACC officers.

"Even the police said this had never happened before. It was difficult to take a leak. I was flanked left and right," he said.

He said his urine sample was the last to be processed.

"When my initial results came back positive for drug use, they (the MACC personnel) left. All five of them.

"Police told me 'ini diluar kebiasaan' (this type of procedure is unusual)," he said.

Attempts to contact MACC chief Dzulkifli Ahmad and his deputy Azam Baki today for a response to Rizalman's allegations have been unsuccessful.

In the video clip, Rizalman told his audience that he can only be considered guilty if the final lab results came back positive.

He also claimed that news about his arrest and the drug-screening results were already being shared at 6am on Monday morning.

"I believe all this is part of a highly-organised game plan. They are using every resource available. My crime is just being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

"The goal is to soil and tarnish my name, to reduce our chance (in the elections)," he said.

Rizalman has been lobbying for the BN leadership to compel MCA to make way for Umno in the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary seat.

'I will face the press'

Rizalman told his division downline that despite the allegations levelled against him, he would hold a press conference to clear the air which was done today.

"I need to face the reporters and not hide behind a (written) press release."

Throughout his explanation to his division last night and to the press today, he refused to point fingers as to who were the likely saboteurs.

Rizalman said he and his group had only consumed 3-in-1 Nescafe coffee or soft drinks during their time at the nightspot.

He stressed that he did not do drugs.

Over the years, Rizalman, a military man turned businessperson, has built up a credible resume which lists him as being on the board of several GLCs besides heading the Cheras Drug Rehabilitation Committee.

-Mkini