Amanah confirms MACC raid of KL headquarters

Amanah secretary-general Mohd Hatta Ramli confirmed that the party's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur was today raided by the MACC.

This was in relation to the MACC's arrest of an ex-aide to former defence minister Mohamad Sabu (below), who is also the Amanah president, over alleged kickbacks in an RM56 million defence contract.

"The MACC raided the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

"The raid was done without presenting any warrant of search to the security guard at Wisma Amanah Negara," Hatta said in a statement.

He claimed that when the MACC officers were asked about a warrant, they merely said it would be given to the suspect whom they had brought along.

"Amanah demands the MACC be professional in its investigation in accordance with laws and procedures.

"Amanah views with concern MACC's excessive attitude," he added.

The ex-aide, who was arrested yesterday, has been remanded for six days.

Hatta (below) said he believed the ex-aide will cooperate with the authorities and urged that he be accorded his legal rights, including access to a lawyer.

"Failure by the MACC to act fairly and transparently could lead to a perception that the action is politically motivated and impact its image," he said.

Sources confirmed with Malaysiakini that the individual was detained last night after he turned up at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya for questioning.

They said the former aide is alleged to have received millions from a company as kickbacks for helping to secure a defence systems maintenance project through direct tender in August 2019.

The sources said that the MACC had seized more than RM70,000 cash and documents from the aide.

Previously in 2018, MACC opened an investigation against the same aide over an allegation that he received more than RM800,000 from several parties to settle his bankrupt status. However, no charges were filed. - Mkini