Car-and-cattle allegations are another blow to the opposition Pakatan 

By Carolyn Hong, The Straits Times

ANOTHER Malaysian political upheaval appears to be looming, with news yesterday that the chief minister of opposition-held Selangor state has been investigated for graft.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said it had 'strong evidence' that Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim had misused his powers over the purchase of 46 head of cattle for his parliamentary constituency and the maintenance of his car.

'We would suggest that legal action and so on be taken, as we have strong evidence for both the cases that abuse of power has taken place,' anti-graft chief Ahmad Said Hamdan told reporters in Penang.

He said the papers would be sent to the Attorney-General to decide whether to file charges.

'Although we can make a decision to press legal charges, the commission feels that it is better if the A-G makes a decision,' Mr Ahmad said.

'Since it involves a VIP, it is better that the case is referred to the A-G, as there might be certain parties not satisfied with the investigation by the commission.'

The news is likely to spark accusations of government pressure by the Barisan Nasional (BN) on the opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat which took control of five state governments in last March's general election.

The opposition alliance has suffered blow after blow in recent weeks, including the loss of the Perak state government after four of its assemblymen jumped ship.

Pakatan is locked in a stand-off in Perak, having refused to accept the new BN government.

It was also shaken in Kedah state, where one of its assemblymen quit abruptly after being accused of bigamy.

Selangor itself is still reeling from the nude photo scandal that forced opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat assemblyman Elizabeth Wong to tender her resignation.