Rafizi shows proof of Putrajaya’s hand in contentious carpet-trader loan
Eileen Ng, The Malaysian Insider
PKR lawmaker Rafizi Ramli today revealed documents to prove Putrajaya interfered in the RM32 million Bank Rakyat loan to controversial businessman Deepak Jaikishan.
Rafizi (pic) said he had received documents which showed Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek’s alleged interference in the matter.
Among them is a letter, bearing the masthead of the ministry and Hasan’s signature, directing the bank to delay legal action against Deepak for not settling his loan and instead allow the carpet dealer to repay his debts through 120 post-dated cheques.
“This letter clearly proves the minister is involved. Let the document speak for itself,” he said at a press conference today.
Copies of the letter were distributed to reporters.
Former Bank Rakyat chairman Tan Sri Sabbaruddin Chik told The Malaysian Insider that Deepak used his political influence to settle his debts through the intervention of Hasan, a claim which he denied.
Rafizi said he will expose the alleged misconduct and political interference involving Deepak and his dealings with Bank Rakyat over the next few weeks.
This comes after the National Oversight & Whistleblowers Centre (NOW), of which he is the executive director, two weeks ago received 13 sets of documents comprising official letters between the bank and Hasan, board papers and internal memos.
Rafizi said his expose will also show that there were a lot of exemptions and leeway given to Deepak on other million-ringgit loans.
“After going through the documents, I feel there is evidence of the special treatment Deepak received from the bank.
“From today, NOW will expose every document as proof against Hasan and the bank’s managing director Datuk Mustafha Razak. I firmly believe that there were elements of misappropriation and criminal breach of trust,” he said.
Rafizi will lodge a report on the matter with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission as well as the police’s commercial crime division on Friday.
