KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has conducted its due diligence on Asia Mobility Technologies Sdn Bhd (Asia Mobiliti), even before the company linked to the husband of Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh courted controversy.
In response to politicians who were dissatisfied with his statements on the matter, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki stressed that there was no case to be opened for further investigation.
“As of now, I do not see any case. I can show information from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), which indicates that there is no link with the Youth and Sports Ministry or its minister, Hannah Yeoh, and this is a matter of the state government.
“We received some information previously, conducted a report, did an interim investigation, and checked online with SSM. We have the facilities and network to contact any agency in the country, making it very easy for us to check.
“We have conducted the checks and investigations, and there is nothing. So, what do you want me to do? Do you want me to call Hannah, her husband, or the company to give a statement? Is that what you want? If that’s what you want, is that fair to them?” he said during an interview with Media Online today.
Yesterday, several political leaders, including Umno supreme council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi, criticised Azam following his comments indicating no legal wrongdoing in the awarding of the contract.
Earlier today, Gombak Setia assemblyman Muhammad Hilman Idham said the Selangor government has to make public the contract details of the Demand Responsive Transit (DRT) pilot project awarded to Asia Mobiliti and Badan Bas Coach Sdn Bhd in the interest of transparency and accountability, said an opposition lawmaker.
Hilman said the state government has to explain why the contracts were awarded via direct negotiations and not through open tender, as it involves public funds, adding that the state administration should cancel the contracts and review the DRT implementation model.
Azam said that it is up to the politicians to make such comments because everyone can express their opinions.
“If the politicians say there is moral wrongdoing, that is up to them. I am not a politician or a motivational speaker to talk about morals.
“Some may not like my statement, and some may support it. What benefit do I get from this matter as the MACC chief commissioner? I don’t get a salary increase from it.
“Think about it; the project is for the people of Selangor. So, if we wait for the MACC to investigate, how long will it take? If, after a month of investigation, I say there is no case, people will question, a month? So fast?
“So, what do these politicians expect? A year for the investigation? What will happen to the project then? That’s why I need to emphasise that, in cases like this, I have to be transparent and say that we do not see any case in this matter,” he said.
When asked about Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement today, leaving it to the authorities to investigate the issue of the contract award, Azam said he understood the prime minister’s stance.
“I understand what the prime minister meant. What he is saying is that it is not his directive, but it is up to us, the authorities. And if he asks me, I will say there is no case.
“If the authorities feel there is a need for an investigation, we will investigate. If there are new leads that warrant an investigation, I will order it to be done,” he said. – May 28, 2024