KUALA LUMPUR — Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin is expected to issue a statement in response to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB)’s decision to freeze the bank accounts of the Larut MP and members of his family soon.
According to a source in the loop of the situation, it is likely that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) secretary-general will be issuing a statement either today or tomorrow.
“Yes the IRB has frozen his accounts, but the action that has been taken against him doesn’t seem to have affected him the least.
“He is not at all worried about it, unlike what has been reported.
“I’m sure Hamzah will come up with a variety of ways to deal with the issue, he is aware that he will be made a political target for others to take down,” said the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Earlier, a Bersatu leader confirmed to the Scoop that the IRB had action taken against Hamzah and his family members.
The latest development is believe to be a part of investigations carried out by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Hamzah who is named in a charge sheet for a RM15 million corruption case involving businessman Datuk Seri Sim Choo Thiam.
In June, his residence in Damansara was reportedly raided by MACC, which resulted in several documents being seized.
However, the operation itself fail to find any tangible evidence that is linked to Hamzah.
On the other hand, Hamzah has since submitted letter of demand on August 11, to the unity government and MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki for linking him to the corruption case.
In the letter, the Larut MP is demanding the concerned parties to stop from acting in the manner of partisan politics, as civil servants serve as the protectors of the people’s constitutional rights which cannot be violated.
On May 10, Sim was charged with asking for RM15 million on Jun 2021 from Asia Coding Centre Sdn Bhd managing director Hep Kim Hong, in order to obtain Hamzah’s support so he can be involved in the Home Ministry’s projects for Hep’s company. — August 24, 2023