S’gor Umno backs Hassan over Selcat

(Malaysian Mirror) – Selangor Umno said it fully supported the calls by Hassan Ali, the state PAS commissioner, to stop the Pakatan Rakyat's public inquiry on misuse of state allocations by Barisan Nasional assemblymen.

Selangor Umno deputy chief Noh Omar said the inquiry conducted by the Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency should be done behind closed doors as Hassan had urged.

"It is as though Selcat is trying to take over the role of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission," he told reporters on Saturday.

"Open hearing will only embarrass the officers."

Selcat should not try to replace MACC

He warned that if the process was carried out openly, it could tarnish the image and dignity of those called in for questioning.

He said Selcat should not carry out "open trial" as it was not a court.

It was also not fair for the committee to call in officers to testify when it was the job of the MACC to do so, he added.

"This is like doing the job twice. The MACC should be the one taking action if there is an abuse of power or corruption," he said.  

Hauled up by PAS central committee

Despite the Umno endorsement or perhaps because of it, Hassan has been hauled by his party's own central committee for publicly undermining his coalition colleagues.

The silver-haired commission is viewed by many within the Pakatan as being an Umno trojan horse and few would be surprised if he were to jump ship when the crunch came. Hassan has denied such speculation.

Said PAS CC member Dzulkefly Ahmad: "I’ve spoken to most of the other central committee members and we are of the view he has gone too far.”

Said PAS MP for Shah Alam Khalid Samad: "Hassan is a senior member of the Selangor cabinet and this is a coalition government. There must be team work, I cannot emphasis this enough."

“Otherwise, he will be subverting the whole process, destroy the image of the Pakatan Rakyat government and foil its ability to work and function effectively.“