KUALA LUMPUR, 21 Aug 2008: The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) detainment of two Perak state executive councillors (excos) for investigations into a corruption case is based on facts and not politically motivated, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“People can make their own interpretations, but we cannot make conclusions that they are guilty unless they are convicted. The due process of law must take place,” he said, commenting on remarks by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin that the detention of the two was a political conspiracy.
The two excos were detained together with four other men by the ACA on 19 and 20 Aug on suspicion of being involved in corruption relating to a housing project worth RM180 million in Seri Iskandar, Ipoh.
Najib was speaking to reporters after opening The Women’s Summit 2008 at the Sime Darby Convention Centre here today.
Yesterday, Mohammad Nizar defended the two exco members and pointed out that the housing project concerned did not exist.
“The Pakatan Rakyat state government did not approve a housing project costing RM180 million at Seri Iskandar. The two Exco members could not have approved the project since it does not exist,” he said.
In any case, the ongoing investigation would not affect the running of the state government, he added.
Mohammad Nizar, who had earlier chaired a Pakatan Rakyat meeting at his residence, said the state government would not stop the ACA from investigating its state assemblymen, and that Pakatan Rakyat would form a panel of lawyers to defend the detained exco members. – Bernama
