Can both Azmin Ali & Anwar Ibrahim Walk Their Talk on Transparency?
Khoo Kay Peng
On Tuesday, blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin published classified investigation papers that Azmin was investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) for graft in 1995.
Azmin was at that time a private secretary to then deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim and he was probed on claims that he was receiving RM15,000 monthly from tycoon Vincent Tan.
He also accused of living beyond his means, owning houses and cars worth about RM1.5 million and almost RM10 million in cash, while drawing a salary of RM2,400 monthly.
Raja Petra alleged that while the ACA had enough evidence to prosecute Azmin for corruption, the-then ACA director-general Shafee Yahaya decided not to act on it, at the behest of Anwar.
It is important for both Azmin and Anwar to come clean and clear up the matter if they want to lead Pakatan’s team into the GE battle. Both of them are the top leaders in Pakatan Rakyat.
If the newly minted coalition is successful in its bid for federal power, Anwar is expected to be named a new prime minister and Azmin’s his senior cabinet minister or deputy.
Anwar and Azmin have demanded the Najib administration to come clean on the Scorpene corruption scandal and the latter has decided to stay silence.
This is opportune time for Azmin to declare his family assets to clear his name and to create a good precedent for all top politicians to do the same if faced with a similar allegation. All politicians aspiring for public office must be transparent and accountable for their action.
