KUALA LUMPUR, 4 Sept 2008: Umno veteran Datuk Mazlan Harun today lodged a second report with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) against the Umno top leadership whom he claimed committed political graft in party elections.
He also handed over an album containing photographs, videos and documents to support his complaint.
"What is in the album I cannot tell in details. I am only asking for the matter to be investigated quickly," he told reporters.
An Umno member from Muar, Datuk Kadar Ninam Shah, who accompanied Mazlan said if the ACA still did not act within a certain period, follow-up action would be taken.
"If this second report is also not taken seriously, we will make another report or resort to other alternatives like the court," he said.
He alleged that the Umno disciplinary board had been informed of the matter but did not act to investigate. The allegations include branch heads from several states being specially invited and provided with hotel accommodation and given souvenirs like prayer mats, plaid sarongs and cash for using government funds.
On 5 Aug, Mazlan, also accompanied by Kadar, lodged a report with the ACA with regard to the allegations.
The report was based on an allegation by Petaling Jaya Selatan Umno division chief Capt (R) Datuk Zahar Hashim in a letter to the Umno secretary-general that the party’s top leadership had committed political graft.
In Johor Baru, ACA director-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan warned that the agency would take action on any party lodging false reports or giving false information with regard to corruption involving public officers.
"We will not hesitate to take action against them under the Penal Code," he said after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the formation of an anti-corruption joint committee between the Johor Baru City Council and the ACA.
Ahmad was commenting on the decision of the Kajang Magistrate’s Court on 1 Sept to impose a RM2,000 fine on Lengkok Golf Umno branch youth head Mohd Rusihan Abu Aziz of Kelana Jaya who pleaded guilty to lodging a false report on political graft on 30 July.
On the MoU, Ahmad said it would enhance the city council’s delivery system and taxpayers’ confidence.
The committee, jointly chaired by Johor Baru mayor Datuk Naim Nasir and Johor ACA director Simi Abdul Ghani, will review and close all gaps which create the opportunity for corruption.
The Johor Baru City Council is the first among 147 local authorities in the country with such a committee. – Bernama
