MACC digging up info on dodgy dealings by Penang PKR duo

(The Star) – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has started investigations into allegations that two senior Penang PKR leaders are working with several quarries to cover up illegal activities.

It is learnt that MACC officers in Penang quizzed several people following the allegation made by national PKR Youth executive council member Amizudin Ahmat during a Seberang Prai Municipal (MPSP) full council meeting on Feb 27 while he was still a councillor there.

Amizudin had claimed that two senior politicians, one of whom is serving in the Penang Government, were working hand-in-glove with several quarries to cover up illegal activities.

He even said he had bank slips and SMSes to back his claim that money was deposited into the personal accounts of the two leaders.

Sources said the MACC had, for the past two weeks, made discreet inquiries about the alleged illegal activities by the two leaders.

They also said the MACC was gathering information about the quarries and to see if there was any truth to the allegations before beginning a full-scale investigation.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was reported as saying that Amizudin should lodge a report with the MACC and hand over the evidence to the MACC.

Last month, Amizudin, who is Kepala Batas PKR Youth chief, said he had proof that one of the politicians had an interest in one of the quarries.

He said he had monitored the activities of the politicians since July.

He claimed he was verbally abused by the politicians when he brought up the matter with the state authorities, including MPSP and the state Land and Mines Department.

Azimudin also claimed that some of the quarries had shortchanged the state government of millions of ringgit in royalty by under-declaring their output.

Following this, Penang PKR set up a committee to investigate the allegations on March 7.

Its chairman Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim said the findings would be presented to the state PKR for further action.

Amizudin told The Star yesterday that he had been called to give a statement to the committee at 3pm today.

“I will supply the committee with the evidence,” he said.

He also said he would leave it to the party to solve the problem.

“I trust the committee will investigate and I am confident that it will act fairly,” he added.