New twist to MACC’s RM90 million investigation: Ambiga in trouble
It appears that the reports made to the MACC and to the police were traps set up to bait the police and MACC. If the police or MACC do nothing then this story that Najib bribed PAS RM90 million would go on and on indefinitely. Now that the MACC is being forced to investigate this allegation, something has to come out of it.
THE CORRIDORS OF POWER
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Information received from Malaysia Today’s deep throats within the MACC is that former Bersih Chairman Ambiga Sreenevasan is in trouble. MACC deputy chief commissioner Azam Baki told Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that investigations show the RM90 million donation story was fabricated after all.
Transcripts reveal that Clare Rewcastle Brown and Ambiga discussed how to fix up Hadi, who they viewed as a problem for Pakatan Harapan (which had been founded in September 2015).
Ambiga then suggested Sarawak Report come out with a story saying that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had bribed PAS to leave Pakatan Rakyat.
MACC transcripts reveal that Ambiga and Clare fabricated the story of Najib’s RM90 million donation to PAS
Clare asked what figure to put and Ambiga suggested that RM90 million should be a large enough figure but not too large that people might not believe the story.
This statement is now on record and the MACC is not sure how to proceed with the matter.
If the MACC takes action on this matter, then first of all they need at least some documentary evidence. But there are no bank statements or records to show that RM90 million left 1MDB’s bank account and/or reappeared in the bank accounts of either PAS or any of the party leaders.
There is absolutely no paper trail or, as the lawyers would say, there is no smoking gun.
Then there is the problem of this investigation being based on whistle-blowers’ information, in this case Clare and Ambiga. Hence, both their statements are very crucial to the entire investigation.
But if the RM90 million story was fabricated, and if it was Ambiga who told Clare this story, that would make Ambiga the criminal in this entire episode.
It appears that the reports made to the MACC and to the police were traps set up to bait the police and MACC. If the police or MACC do nothing then this story that Najib bribed PAS RM90 million would go on and on indefinitely. Now that the MACC is being forced to investigate this allegation, something has to come out of it.
Either the matter did happen or it did not. And either way someone will have to pay for it. And in this case Ambiga is the one who will have to pay since she has been fingered as the source of this fabricated story and false allegation.
The Star has an update on the MACC investigation, which you can read below:
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Report claims RM90mil for PAS used to buy luxury cars, bungalows
(The Star) – A report filed with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commision (MACC) on allegations of PAS receiving RM90mil from Umno in 2016 contained a list of expensive vehicles and properties.
“According to the report, several PAS leaders were accused of using these funds to acquire the cars and properties.
“The cars include BMW, Mini Cooper, Toyota Vellfire, Range Rover, Porsche Cayman, Audi Q7, Audi A6, Toyota Camry, Toyota Fortuner, Volkswagen Passat, Mercedes Benz, and a BMW motorcycle,” a source familiar with the investigations told Malaysiakini.
The source was also quoted saying that bungalows, high-powered motorcycles and the purchase of number plates at exorbitant prices were also mentioned in the list.
“As for the properties, this includes a bungalow in Bangi worth RM3mil,” the source told the online news portal.
It was reported that several current and former PAS leaders were called in by the MACC regarding the RM90mil payment, which were allegedly from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds.
The individuals include former party deputy president Datuk Nasharudin Mat Isa and Bachok MP and PAS central committee member Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz.
Husam Musa is supposed to be one of those who shared the RM90 million donation
It is learnt that Parti Amanah Negara vice-president Datuk Husam Musa, who was a former vice-president of PAS, is one of the individuals the MACC wants to question.
MACC initiated a probe into claims that PAS was the recipient of 1MDB money after its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang opted for an out-of-court settlement with Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle Brown.
Abdul Hadi had earlier sued for libel over an article Rewcastle Brown published on Aug 6, 2016, alleging the party received RM90mil in bribes from Umno.
