'PM’s ‘corrupt-free ministers’ remark gives wrong perception'

 

Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has taken a swipe at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for claiming that every cabinet minister appointed under the latter’s administration is “clean and free from corruption”.

Syed Saddiq, speaking at a press conference today, alleged that Anwar’s statement was signalling that deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s court case might be dropped after the state polls on Aug 12.

“When there are such statements (from the prime minister), it’s giving the wrong perception, especially when a few of the institutions are under the purview of the prime minister, including the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the MACC.

“In fact, the prime minister appointed the attorney-general and the MACC chief commissioner, which indirectly showed that he is regulating both bodies to ensure that the ongoing case could be dropped.

“As Muda’s president, I don’t look at Anwar’s statement as a small matter,” he said at a press conference at Muda’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.

Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman

Delivering his speech at the launch of Penang’s election machinery in Seberang Jaya last night, Anwar said all the ministers have been closely monitored by the police and the MACC in the past eight months.

“There is not a single case showing that the ministers have pocketed the people's money,” he was reported as saying, adding that it’s “a record in the country’s political history”.

On April 10, Zahid sent a letter of representation to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to drop 47 charges of criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering involving Yayasan Akalbudi against him.

Zahid also has an ongoing separate corruption trial before the Shah Alam High Court involving 40 charges linked to the overseas visa system (VLN).

Meanwhile, Syed Saddiq, who is also Muar MP, said many have expressed fear that larger-scale corruption cases will be dropped after the state elections.

“In fact, the fear is heightened when Anwar (made the statement) in the public in Penang that the MACC had confirmed that none of (Anwar’s) ministers are involved in corruption scandals,” he added. - Mkini