Azalina meets PM over probe

Terence Fernandez, The Sun

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (pic) met with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi this afternoon over investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into money politics and her ministry’s activities.

Azalina, who had yet to be questioned by MACC, arrived at Abdullah’s official residence, Seri Perdana, about 5pm accompanied by her father Datuk Othman Said.

She left at 8.30pm and according to sources the prime minister advised her to be patient and to let the law take its course and that she has nothing to fear if she did not do anything wrong.

On another matter, it is also understood Abdullah is concerned over the public’s perception of the newly formed MACC.

This is because, according to sources, of the statements that had been made by MACC officials, especially MACC commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan, which in the eye of the public portray the MACC as being partisan.

“The prime minister does not want all the hard work in revamping the Anti-Corruption Agency to go down the drain because of overzealous officials who said the wrong things,” said a source.

Meanwhile, sources in Umno said the Penggerang MP was being pressured to withdraw from defending her Umno Supreme Council seat as it was quite certain that investigations may not be completed in time for the party general assembly and elections at the end of this month.

“However, she is quite adamant about contesting,” said a source.

Earlier, Ahmad Said said no more senior officials from the Tourism Ministry would be hauled up for questioning. His statement came just three days after the MACC had issued a statement saying that it would not issue statements or comments on ongoing investigations.

He urged the media and public not to believe in and spread rumours in connection with the case as this could jeopardise the investigation, reports Bernama.

Last week, two ministry officers, including Azalina’s political secretary, were reportedly detained and had their statements taken before they were released.

During the arrest, MAAC officers found RM70,000 in the political secretary’s car and the money was believed to be meant for Federal Territory Umno delegates to the party’s coming general assembly and elections.

Asked on MAAC’s three-hour visit to the ministry’s office at Menara Dato Onn at the PWTC on Wednesday when some senior officials were questioned, Ahmad Said said it was a normal procedure in an investigation.

He said all those questioned cooperated and provided the documents requested by MACC.

Azalina’s office had in a statement yesterday evening said it would give its fullest cooperation to the MACC on this matter. It also said they have the fullest confidence in the MACC and are confident that they will be cleared by the investigation.

Earlier today, Azalina said she had not been called by the MACC to give her statement and “I’m not sure whether I will be called”.

Approached after attending a meeting at her office, she appeared calm when answering questions from reporters.

“I believe a person is innocent until proven guilty,” she said, adding she only knew of yesterday’s raid on her office from her officers and news reports.