Baazar scandal: MP asks if DBKL director was threatened, demands apology

DAP lawmaker Lim Lip Eng has demanded an apology from a Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) director for allegedly claiming that Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun had applied pressure which led to last week's Ramadan bazaar scandal.

The Kepong MP said DBKL Licensing and Petty Traders Developmental Department director Anwar Mohd Zain should explain how Fong allegedly forced City Hall to approve bazaar lots for Bukit Bintang Bersatu Youth chief Mohd Noorhisyam Abd Karim.

"How was he forced? Did Fong use any threatening words in the letter of support (for Mohd Noorhisyam)?

"Or has anyone in anyway used any threatening gestures towards him to issue additional stores?" he asked when met by reporters in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

Last week, Malaysiakini reported that Mohd Noorhisyam became embroiled in the scandal after it was alleged that middlemen acting on his behalf sold bazaar lots in Jalan Masjid India for up to RM5,000.

Fong was dragged into the scandal because of his support letter for Mohd Noorhisyam.

The Star subsequently published a report titled "DBKL: We were forced to approve Bersatu Youth leader's application".

In the report, Anwar was quoted as saying that DBKL gave in to Mohd Noorhisyam's request due to the support letter from Fong.

Lim, however, cited a letter from Anwar to Mohd Noorhisyam, in which the DBKL director said after talks between Fong and City Hall, DBKL had agreed to grant the bazaar lots to the Bukit Bintang Bersatu Youth chief if he secured a letter of support from the MP.

"So in a way Anwar is forcing Fong to issue the letter of support, and now he turns around and says he was forced.

"So I want him to openly apologise to Fong for painting him in a bad light," he added.

Malaysiakini is attempting to contact Anwar for his response.

Lim was speaking to the media after accompanying Fong to lodge a report over the scandal at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters.

Fong has denied receiving any kickbacks from the alleged sale of lots.

Similarly, Mohd Noorhisyam had lodged a police report on Monday denying he had sold the lots to traders.

Bersatu has lodged a MACC report against Mohd Noorhisyam. - Mkini