Businessperson Albert Tei’s lawyer, Mahajoth Singh, has given PKR Youth 48 hours to issue a call for accountability and action in corruption matters involving politically connected figures, including those aligned with its own leadership.
In stipulating the deadline today, Mahajoth said PKR Youth’s failure to make the call within the timeframe would amount to an admission of “cowardice” and a lack of genuine commitment to combating corruption.
The lawyer also challenged PKR Youth chief Kamil Munim to a public, moderated debate on “corruption, selective enforcement, and the treatment of whistleblowers” in the nation.
“This is not personal. This is not ‘drama’. It is about walking the talk,” Mahajoth said in a statement.
“If PKR Youth truly believes its own words, then it should have no difficulty proving it by raising itself up to these challenges.
“If not, PKR Youth should refrain from lecturing others on integrity and admit that politics, and not public interest, is their real priority,” he said.
Mahajoth’s move to throw down the gauntlet comes after PKR Youth information chief Danish Hairudin denied claims that the party’s youth wing had been silent on corruption committed by politicians, instead calling such narratives “lazy” and “malicious”.
Danish said this on Dec 14 in response to Mahajoth’s criticism against him and PKR Youth following attacks against Tei, whom Danish had slammed for pleading not guilty to corruption charges in court, saying it contradicted his previous statements.
Jointly charged with bribery
Tei and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s former aide, Shamsul Iskandar Akin, are on trial together for allegedly giving and receiving over RM240,000 in bribes.
Before being charged in court, Tei told Malaysiakini that he had spent more than RM620,000 on Shamsul after being assured that the latter could help recoup money allegedly given to politicians in Sabah.
While Mahajoth had argued that it was Tei’s legal right to plead not guilty, Danish, however, retorted that graft is graft, even if it is shrouded in tears and a vocal lawyer.
In his statement today, Mahajoth laid out a laundry list of cases involving “powerful figures” whom he claimed PKR Youth had failed to voice out against.
In particular, the lawyer pointed to the discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) granted to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on graft charges linked to Yayasan Akalbudi funds.
“A prima facie case was found, and months of trial had proceeded before the charges were withdrawn, resulting in a DNAA. Did PKR Youth vigorously and effectively speak up?
“Until today, despite promises and public demands, no fresh charges have been brought against Zahid.
“For the first time in the nation’s history, a person facing a large number of corruption charges was appointed deputy prime minister… did PKR Youth speak up?” Mahajoth pressed.
Yesterday, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) maintained that its decision to apply for a DNAA in Zahid’s case was “in strict compliance with the law”, asserting that the application was based on the circumstances at the time, including the need for further investigations.
The AGC was responding to reports that lawyer Syed Amir Syakib Arsalan Syed Ibrahim had filed a judicial review application seeking, among other things, a mandamus order to compel the attorney-general and prosecutors to complete their investigation and review concerning the DNAA.
Deafening silence
Mahajoth also alleged that PKR Youth had kept mum when the AGC decided against appealing Rosmah Mansor’s acquittal of 12 money laundering charges and five charges of failing to declare her income to the Inland Revenue Board.
“In fact, it is not just a matter of PKR Youth speaking up on corruption - when did they speak on matters of public interest?” Mahajoth questioned.
“Where were the press statements or public protests demanding action? Where was the outrage? Where was the so-called moral clarity?
“It is shameful when a youth wing of a so-called reform party fails to speak up and fight for the values of transparency, accountability, and rule of law,” he added.
The lawyer referenced the eviction issue previously faced by Kampung Sungai Baru residents, the assault against deaf e-hailing driver Ong Ing Keong, and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) “heritage” player controversy. - FMT
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