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Press Statement

by Lim Guan Eng

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(Petaling Jaya, Thursday): DAP expresses disappointment with the cloud of suspicion surrounding Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail’s decision clearing Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Johari Baharum from allegations that Johari received RM5.5 million for releasing 3 criminals detained under the Emergency Ordinance 1969. Abdul Gani had ordered the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to close the investigations on Johari after several of the criminals, who were important witnesses, could not be traced after their release. 

The public would find it difficult to believe that the government was unable to track down the key witnesses. After all Special Branch is noted to be one of the most effective surveillance police agencies in the world. If Special Branch only spends the same amount of time in tracking down the witnesses as they spend on spying on opposition politicians, no one will escape detection. 

ACA investigations director Mohd Shukri Abdull may have been thorough, "gone all out" and worked round-the-clock over the last five months to solve the "missing links" in the case but the ACA’s effort is just not good enough. The problem with the closing of this case by Abdul Gani is that it still does not shed light on Johari’s contentions that the three gangsters were released based on police recommendation not him. Amazingly, this was publicly disputed by the police. This is the first time there has been a public contradiction and confrontation between a Deputy Minister of the ISD and the police. 

Even though the case is closed, the public remains in the dark as to whether Johari or the police is telling the truth. Are the “missing links” connected to Johari or other senior police officials? For Abdul Gani to direct that the case be closed when the key witnesses can not be located is premature and gives the unfortunate impression of a cover-up. Would the case be re-opened if the key witnesses are subsequently located?

Both the Internal Security Ministry and the police should report each other to the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to investigate corruption allegation as part of their normal course of duties

DAP welcomes the announcement by Johari that he had instructed his officers to lodge a report against Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hasan following allegations of corruption against Musa that surfaced on the Internet. Both the Internal Security Ministry (ISD) and the police should report each other to the ACA to investigate corruption allegations as part of their normal course of duties.  The ISD and the police should act  without fear or favour as well as disregard position and rank in conducting investigations.  

Political blog site Malaysia Today had posted a detailed report linking Musa and the police with Chinese underworld figures. Providing names and linking events as well as connections, Raja Petra Kemaruddin had shown a complex web of relationship between Musa and triads, whereby the nexus has such disturbing implications that can not be simply dismissed as mere “slander” as claimed by Musa. 

If Johari can be investigated for an anonymous internet report alleging corruption when the author is unknown, there are stronger grounds to investigate Musa when so many names, events and triad activities are allegedly tied to Musa. Most importantly, the author is known and has publicly stood by his story. Musa’s reluctance to sue Raja Petra for defamation that Musa was alleged to have received RM2.1 million for releasing a group of gangsters from custody, has only deepened suspicions that Musa has something to hide. 

As Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had announced on 2 July 2007 that Musa’s service contract has been extended after his retirement on 13 September 2007, the period which is still not known, Musa must show that his integrity, behaviour and conduct is beyond reproach. Abdullah may wish to demonstrate his personal confidence in Musa but Malaysians are not so simple, naïve and trusting as Abdullah. 

Instead of making serious decisions based on whim and fancies or instinct and intuition, Malaysians demand proof and facts. How can Musa succeed in wiping out corruption in the police force if they are lingering doubts as to whether he is clean?