Probe Mb Too Over Cameron Bribe Claims Lawyer Tells Macc

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Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail is accused of corrupt practices during the election campaign in Cameron Highlands. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has been urged to investigate Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail over allegations that voters in Cameron Highlands were given money to support Barisan Nasional (BN) in the May 9 general election
Lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali said the anti-graft body must read the recent judgment by the Election Court when it invalidated MIC vice-president C Sivarraajh’s election victory in Cameron Highlands
Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali.“MACC must act if it is serious about anyone using money to bribe voters in an election,” he told FMT
In her written judgment released yesterday, judge Azizah Nawawi said the petitioner, DAP’s M Manogaran, had proven beyond reasonable doubt that bribery was committed according to the Election Offences Act 1954
“Money was given to the voters directly through Wan Rosdy or Achom Luji, and the money was given to voters to induce them to vote,” Azizah said in her 36-page verdict.She said corrupt practices were committed in connection with the election, with the knowledge of Sivarraajh
She said she would certify her decision with the Election Commission and report that corrupt practices had been proven
But she said she would not name any individual guilty of corrupt practices due to inconsistencies in witness testimonies on the identity of those who had given out the money
On Tuesday, MACC chief commissioner Shukri Abdull said the anti-graft agency was probing Sivarraajh over the court’s finding that voters were bribed to help him win the Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat
“The decision by the court is based on witness statements, and if there is proof beyond a reasonable doubt then we might proceed. We need solid proof in court. So in this case, we are still investigating,” he said
He said MACC did not need official reports to initiate a probe as its officers could rely on news reports to do so
Manogaran meanwhile told FMT he had lodged a report on the corrupt practices by Sivarraajh and Wan Rosdy on June 3
“I was interviewed for two hours by a team of MACC officers from Ipoh,” he said, adding that he made the complaint before filing the petition
Manogaran, who is also a lawyer, said he made the report to safeguard his integrity and to show that his petition to nullify the Cameron Highlands results was true and genuine
“I too hope the MACC will investigate my complaint and bring those who violated election laws to book. This has been made easier following the Election Court’s finding after calling in witnesses,” he added
Sivarraajh won with a 597-vote majority in a five-cornered fight with candidates from DAP, PSM, PAS and Berjasa
During hearing, Orang Asli leaders testified that BN candidates for the Cameron Highlands parliamentary and Jelai state seats and their agents had given RM2,100 to six Tok Batins, in seeking their support a few days before polling day
The Tok Batins also said they were given RM200 as “duit rokok” (pocket money) during the 12-day campaign period
Last week, FMT reported that Wan Rosdy, who is Jelai assemblyman, risked losing his state seat if Sivarraajh failed in his appeal to the Federal Court

Sivarraajh announced yesterday that he would not file an appeal to set aside Azizah’s ruling and that BN was prepared to face Pakatan Harapan in a by-election. - FMT

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