Thursday, October 26, 2017

MACC - Shafie Apdal Investigation - the start of investigation of BN government/Ministries?

Corruption and Kleptocracy involving Ministers and 'political big names' in the UMNO-BN government? 

Did Malaysians lose a lot of monies because of unhealthy and wrongful practices in the government, involving not just Ministers(members of the administration) and public servants? Remember, that ultimately the Prime Minister is responsible for any acts of kleptocracy, corruption and/or wrongdoings involving the government, any Ministries and/or Minister, departments and/or public servant.(PM picks his own Cabinet) 

A Minister is similarly responsible for things, including wrongdoings, that happen within his/her Ministry.

We had heard how many of these 'ruling party' leaders at all levels seems to be successful in getting government or government-linked contracts and other financially enriching opportunities. This is also included their family members and other 'cronies'...Wrong for government to discriminate in favour of certain persons/entities...Was there inflated contract sums for these projects? Was there corruption and/or kleptocracy? Were those given contracts/projects 'giving back' by making 'donations' to Ministers, persons,...or even the BN(or any component party)? 

We need an independent police, MACC, enforcement and prosecution authorities in Malaysia - do we have them now in Malaysia?

There is a saying that 'a new broom sweeps clean' - but now with the UMNO-led in coalition(now known as the "Barisan Nasional"), is it not possible that there would be more hanky panky, abuses, kleptocracy and even corruption. And recent MACC actions, has showed us the extend that this problem can go to..

The investigations are focused on 70 projects involving roads, electricity and water supply for rural areas of Sabah.

The investigations include incomplete projects as well as suspected corrupted practices in the implementation of The Project.
Well, when Ministers and certain persons can decide who gets a project, contract and benefit ...there is always a problem and 'questions' when such projects/contracts/benefits are given to entities/companies which family members(or political party members/leaders) or friends are involved in.

Was there an open tender? Was the best applicant who got the project? Was the project/contract value 'exaggerated' - well, this could be a way of 'kleptocracy' or wrongly transmitting rakyat's money to some persons/parties? 

Companies that get these contracts/projects - Do they transmit 'some' monies and 'benefits' back to the Minister(or persons involved in getting these projects) - it could come in the form of 'donations' to the party or to the 'wakil rakyat'...or simply 'personal donations' directly and/or indirectly? Do they sponsor some 'Hari Raya banner'...or even other things in some activity? Do they organize CSR[Corporate Social Responsibility] activities and invite the said Minister(or party leader) to open the event or give the 'keynote' address?

Incomplete projects - Well, this should always raise our suspicion? How could that happen? For logically, if a person/entity put forward an application to get a project/tender/contract - surely, the amount of money needed to complete the project (and reasonable profits) would be factored in. Was the quote for 'undervalued'...or was there just too much monies 'spend' for things unnecessary - maybe even high wages and allowances for Directors and/or higher management staff? 

Providing more government monies to complete ...uncompleted projects is just wrong.

When there is no investigation, prosecution or disciplinary action against those responsible for improper management of funds (maybe even kleptocracy, etc..), then it is more wrong. Bad precedence being set.  And, there will more likely be more 'abandoned' projects ...and 'incomplete' projects...for the persons responsible seem to be able to get off easily. Now, the persons who have 'enriched' themselves despite failure to complete projects get to keep their 'wealth'...An ordinary small business person usually suffers financially personally the consequence of business failures - but not these 'companies'? Banks require personal guarantees from Directors - maybe, the government should also require such guarantees from primary shareholders and Directors...then, maybe less chances of 'incomplete' projects?

Government failure - Yes, the government, should have have double checked and ensured the cost of the project first...before handing out contracts. Was there any 'guarantee' required by the Directors and major shareholders ... 

The only reasonable way that there is not enough money to complete a project is through an 'Act of God' like situation - something totally unexpected. 

Possible increases in cost of products/services, drop in the value of ringgit, etc...all should be reasonably anticipated by a project holder..so, every time there is an incomplete project, a serious investigations need to be conducted ...and action MUST be taken against who is 'guilty' - the Minister and/or public servants involved OR was it the project recipient - Too long, have we simply 'not questioned', and allowed more of the peoples' monies to be expended..

Good that MACC is finally looking into this issues. The choice of Shafie Apdal may be because he is no more in BN, and is now an Opposition leader...but it finally opens our eyes...What about Muhyiddin? Mukriz? ...and also all the other existing BN Ministers and Cabinet members... MACC should be looking at all past projects, existing projects ...

Maybe MACC should read the Auditor General's report, and commence investigation in all the alleged 'hanky panky' contained in that report...

We should not simply excuse any wrongdoers simply because they are now in the Opposition ...
       



MACC raids Shafie Apdal's house in KK


Saturday, 21 Oct 2017 4:36 PM Stephanie Lee

 It is learnt that the investigators took him back to the Sabah Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission (MACC) office for further questioning.
It is learnt that the investigators took him back to the Sabah Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission (MACC) office for further questioning.
KOTA KINABALU: Graft investigators raided the house of Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal after he was discharged from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Saturday.

Shafie, who spent two of his four-day remand at the hospital for hypertension was discharged at about 2pm and was immediately taken to his residence in Taman Gold View here as part of investigations into the alleged skimming of RM1.5bil funds for rural development projects in Sabah.

It is learnt that the investigators took him back to the Sabah Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission (MACC) office for further questioning.

Shafie was arrested on Oct 19 but was immediately taken to hospital as he suffered from high blood pressure.

He was produced before Magistrate Cindy Mc Juce Balitus, who ordered for the four day remand until Monday, but allowed him to seek treatment at the hospital.

MACC sources have said that their investigations were hindered because they were unable to carry out standard operating procedures to check on Shafie's house in Kota Kinabalu, Semporna and Kuala Lumpur without his presence.- Star, 21/10/2017

Yusof Apdal's remand extended two days

Nation

Saturday, 21 Oct 2017 3:24 PM MYT

by stephanie lee



Yusof arriving at the magistrate court in Kota Kinbalu on Saturday. (Oct 12) NORMIMIE DIUN/The Star.



KOTA KINABALU: Lahad Datu Umno Assemblyman Datuk Yusof Apdal, the younger brother of Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Shafie, will spend two more days in MACC remand.

Yusof's remand ended Saturday but was extended for another two days to facilitate current graft investigations involving the skimming of RM1.5bil worth of rural development projects.

The extension of remand was made before magistrate Cindy Mc Juce Balitus on Saturday.

Malaysia Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) prosecuting officer Mohd Faliq Basirudin said they applied for a seven day extension but the court allowed for two days only.

Yusof arrived at the magistrate surrounded by a small crowd of supporters.

The investigations are focused on 70 projects involving roads, electricity and water supply for rural areas of Sabah.

The investigations include incomplete projects as well as suspected corrupted practices in the implementation of The Project.

So far more than 45 people have been questioned since the probe began two weeks ago.

When Shafie left Umno to form Warisan, Yusof who is Silam Umno chief remained with the party. - Star, 21/10/2017


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