Four reports against Jawi Adun

(Paper image by Jay Lopez / sxc.hu; Penang map © 2009 Google Maps)

PENANG, 15 June 2009: The Nibong Tebal DAP chief, Teh Hock Yong, today lodged four reports with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) against Jawi assemblyperson Tan Beng Huat.

Among others, Teh alleged that Tan had abused his power and used the state government logo to solicit for donations.

Teh told reporters after lodging the reports that he had turned over several documents supporting the allegations to the MACC for it to investigate. He said if no action was taken, the matter would be referred to Prime Minsiter Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

In the reports, he claimed, among others, that Tan had issued a letter authorising the bearer, appointed by him, to take over all government-owned halls, powers, finances and equipment from the village development and security committees in several areas in Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS). Teh said this occurred following the change in the state government leadership.

He claimed that he had the letter of authorisation dated 7 April 2008 as proof of the alleged power abuse by Tan who was only sworn in as state assemblyperson in May 2008.

He also claimed that Tan had used the state government’s letterhead and logo to collect donations for a temple in Nibong Tebal, after which the funds were not handed over to the state government.

State MACC director Latifah Md Yatim could not be contacted for confirmation that the reports had been lodged.

On 10 June 2009, Teh made a scathing attack on the DAP leadership in Penang, claiming that it had failed to take appropriate action on complaints of misconduct by its elected representative relating to a RM2,000 allocation for a charitable organisation.

In response, the Penang DAP directed Tan to tender an undated letter of resignation to party secretary-general and chief minister Lim Guan Eng to show that it practised the concept of capability, accountability and transparency. Tan did so.

Lim, in a statement issued by his office today, said he received the interim report on the matter from the state financial officer, Farizan Darus, on 12 June.      

From the report, the state finance department was of the opinion that the RM2,000 allocation given to the Chin Chee Kok Charity Association was appropriately spent if an air-conditioner and two electrical appliances were supplied to the association.

Lim said that based on the order made by the SPS district administrator to the supplier, Northern Victory Enterprise, a television set and a DVD player had been supplied to the association.

However, he understood that an air-conditioner had also been supplied and the state financial department was awaiting confirmation from the SPS on the date it was delivered, he said.

The status of the air-conditioner would be announced once the report was received, Lim said, adding that the documents on the matter were taken by the MACC on 7 May for investigation. — Bernama