An aide to Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said his letter regarding a catering contract, that is being circulated online, was not an abuse of power.
The letter by Romli Ishak, the deputy prime minister's political secretary, has been circulated online lately. It was addressed to the Education Minister's Office for the attention of Mohd Nizam Morad, the education minister's political secretary.
When contacted by Malaysiakini, Romli confirmed that he did pen the letter, while stressing that nothing in the letter suggested that he was recommending a particular person for the contract.
The opening paragraph of the letter states that Romli's purpose of writing was to forward a document with a bid for a catering contract for a hostel in SMKA Tun Said, Kota Belud.
"For your information, this company is fully bumiputera owned, is of strong financial standing and has a good track record.
"Without any intention to interfere with the Education Ministry's affairs, this letter includes the application (by the bidder) for your further action.
"Your cooperation and attention in this matter is appreciated. Thank you in advance," read the letter.
Romli told Malaysiakini that his letter had never requested that the contract be given to the bidder nor did it state support for the bid.
"That would have been an abuse of power. There is no value to the letter at all," he said, adding that the bidder did not win the contract.
Romli said party members regularly ask for letters to accompany their bids as referrals and politicians could not turn them down.
He explained that he regularly issues such letters for party members as it gives them the assurance and confidence to put in bids.
However, the difference in this case was that the letter stated that it was carbon copied to Raymond Ahuar, the political secretary to the Sabah deputy chief minister Christina Liew.
"There are people who don't like Raymond," he said.
He said those who had been sharing the letter online should have complained to the MACC if there was any element of wrongdoing. - Mkini
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