MCA president Wee Ka Siong wants de facto law minister Liew Vui Keong to tell the truth about a MACC case involving a luxury watch obtained by an aide to agriculture minister Salahuddin Ayub.
On Thursday, Liew told the Senate that MACC had cleared Salahuddin's political secretary, Ahmad Sabki Yusof, as he was able to explain where he got the money to buy the watch.
However, a leaked letter from Sabki sighted by Malaysiakini, has him admitting that the watch was a gift.
The MACC also said that the case's investigation paper was now with the Attorney-General's Chambers for a review.
Wee said this clearly showed Liew had lied to the Senate.
"This is very embarrassing, as Liew was entrusted to be law minister. So it is best if Liew resigns if he fails to give a satisfactory explanation," Wee said in a Facebook post today.
Likewise, BN senator Ibrahim Shah Abu Shah who had previously raised the matter with Liew, said the minister must explain.
"It would be good for the minister (Liew) to explain the situation to the Upper House," Ibrahim (below) told Malaysiakini today.
"Explain what is the truth. I fear the government may be putting on a show or wants to cover up the case as usual," he said.
He also said Liew may just ignore the situation as he is in a position of power as minister.
Erroneous remarks in Parliament are a serious matter. In the Dewan Rakyat, statements that are deemed to have misled the Lower House are considered contempt and can be grounds for disciplinary action.
The Senate, though, does not have a similar rule in its Standing Orders. However, there is a privileges committee which oversees matters that might affect the powers and privileges of the Upper House.
Sabki was detained by the MACC on April 1 on suspicion of accepting the luxury watch but released him four days later. He was investigated under Section 16 (a) of the MACC Act.
Salahuddin had also denied the existence of development projects which led MACC to probe his aide.
In the leaked letter to Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Centre (GIACC) chief Abu Kassim Mohamed, Sabki explained that he had actually declared the watch as a gift to the agriculture ministry's Integrity Unit a year earlier.
However, he said Integrity Unit made no decision on the matter and his declaration was instead used to accuse him of corruption which he denies. - Mkini
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