Rafizi to take AG’s misconduct to HK
PKR strategic director to seek Hong Kong government’s help to investigate alleged misconduct of Attorney-General
Lisa J. Ariffin, FMT
Rafizi Ramli will seek help from the Hong Kong government over former Kuala Lumpur CID chief Mat Zain’s allegations that money changed hands, which led to Malaysia losing its claim on Pulau Batu Puteh to Singapore in 2007.
The revelation was made in Mat Zain’s 31-page statutory declaration (SD) sent to the Prime Minister’s Office on Oct 9 which revealed the wrongdoings of Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail, who handled the Pulau Batu Puteh case.
“Also included was information that a large amount of money changed hands and was credited into (Gani’s) bank account in Hong Kong,” the SD said.
Speaking to reporters today, Rafizi, who is PKR strategic director, announced that he will approach the Hong Kong government in hopes they will commence investigations into Mat Zain’s allegations.
“What is more pertinent about this SD is that for the first time, there is a serious allegation made involving the territorial integrity of the country. This is bringing corruption to a new level altogether.
“The police say they won’t take any action against him (Gani), and there is no news from SPRM (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission),” he said.
“Therefore, we have no choice but to bring this issue to Hong Kong, as the reputation of their financial institution is of utmost importance to them,” added Rafizi.
We have leads
The National Oversight and Whistleblowers Centre (NOW) executive director said all details and entities of the transaction must be submitted to the Hong Kong authorities in order them to start investigation, but acknowledged that it was “not easy” to trace.
“We are trying to trace it and it is not easy. Although some of our friends in Hong Kong say that basic information which involves the AG is enough for them to start looking, we hope to give them pointers,” he said.
Rafizi assured that he had “leads to follow” and has given himself until Wednesday to finalise the information to be submitted to Hong Kong.
“If we don’t get anything, we will proceed with submitting a formal request to the authorities and continue from there,” he said.
Asked if he would be disclosing a copy of the information to SPRM, Rafizi said the local anti-corruption authority would simply “bury the lead altogether”.
“Based on the SPRM Act, once I have submitted information to the commission, I am legally prohibited from ever talking about it,” he said.
“That is how they (SPRM) sweeps issues under the carpet and bury leads,” he said. ”Hong Kong is extremely attentive to complaints. I would rather pursue it in Hong Kong and see whether anything can come out of there,” he added.
