Furor over Raja Petra’s US$10mil kickback allegation against PKR
(Malaysian Digest) – Self-exiled blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin’s latest allegation against PKR that a senior leader from the party had asked for US$10mil as election funds from a company that had sought the leader’s help in moving its stalled project in Selangor has caused a stir among parliamentarians.
Kota Belud MP Datuk Rahman Dahlan (Umno) said Raja Petra should hand over any proof he had to the MACC.
“If someone says Raja Petra is full of nonsense, then I would like to remind the PKR leadership that this was the very person whom they relied on for information previously,” he said.
Bayan Baru MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Hashim (Independent, formerly PKR) said he was not surprised of such things happening in PKR.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong expressed shock over the allegation.
“This is a very serious allegation as it involves abuse of power. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should investigate the matter,” he said.
Referring to Raja Petra’s claims of alleged misuse of state funds as well as recent newspaper reports on illegal sand mining in Selangor, Sungai Pelek assemblyman Yap Ee Wah (MCA) said: “These anomalies drive up the costs of materials needed for the housing industry which ultimately is passed on to house buyers.
“Additionally, to recover their investment, property developers also transfer the cost of high land conversion premiums in Selangor. The soaring property prices make it difficult for many young people to purchase their first homes.
“Malaysians are being robbed of their tanah air (homeland) through illegal sand mining,” he said yesterday.
He urged the Selangor mentri besar to address the issue and put an end to all forms of corruption.
Meanwhile, Pakatan Rakyat MPs have dismissed Raja Petra’s claims.
Sarawak PKR chairman Baru Bian refuted the allegation that he had introduced a developer to Batu MP Tian Chua to resolve the company’s problem in return for US$10mil in kickbacks.
Baru said it was the first time he had heard of the developer, Azam and Azan Sdn Bhd (AASB), and claimed he had no knowledge of the shady dealings narrated in Raja Petra’s story.
Seputeh MP Teresa Kok (DAP), who is also Selangor senior exco, said the state government refused to acknowledge such accusations and described them as malicious lies.
“My question to him (Raja Petra) is where does he get his information?” she said.
She urged Raja Petra to provide evidence to the authorities rather than make false accusations.
“If the Selangor government receive any evidence of wrongdoing, we will take action against the leader,” said Kok.
