KUALA LUMPUR – The Dewan Rakyat erupted into a shouting match after a lawmaker alleged that a family member of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (Pagoh-PN) secured a government contract through corrupt means, prompting an investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Khoo Poay Tiong (Kota Melaka-PH), during his debate on the Budget 2023, cited news reports that alleged Muhyiddin had awarded the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) contract to a company linked to his son-in-law.
“The whole of Malaysia knows that MACC is investigating Pagoh’s (Muhyiddin) son-in-law. I dare say it here (in the Dewan Rakyat) based on newspaper reports.’’
This prompted several opposition lawmakers – Datuk Awang Hashim (Pendang-PN), Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Arau-PN), and Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (Larut-PN) – to stand up and dare Khoo to repeat his statement outside the lower House so they can take legal action against him.
This led to more shouting matches among lawmakers from both sides of the aisle as Deputy Speaker Alice Lau attempted to maintain order.
Awang then called out to Khoo, demanding him to retract his statement and to even name the news sources he was referring to.
The Pendang MP also cited Standing Order 36(6) where no member shall impute improper motives to any other member, and reiterated that Khoo must retract his statements against Muhyiddin.
Muhyiddin also chimed in, reiterating denials that he had engaged in corrupt practices or had awarded his son-in-law any government contracts.
“As I have said before during my previous speech, several MPs such as Jelutong (R.S.N. Rayer-PH), and Ipoh Timur (Howard Lee-PH) had brought up that my son-in-law, Muhamad Adlan Berhan was supposedly awarded the NIISe contract, when Larut (Hamzah) was home minister.
“But such allegations are outright slander, a lie aimed to besmirch me and my family’s reputation,” said Muhyiddin.
He added that the NIISe project had gone through due diligence and was awarded through open tender – however, he was interrupted by Khoo who told Muhyiddin to explain himself to the investigating bodies.
“I would like to make it clear that if you repeat the allegation outside, I will take legal action against you,” said Muhyiddin.
Lau then ordered Khoo to retract his statement, to which he agreed before proceeding with his debate.
Khoo went on to state that there is a need for a political funding act as there have been many cases of corruption and leakages involving public funds.
Muhyiddin’s party Bersatu has come under scrutiny after several of his party members were charged with corruption in relation to the Jana Wibawa initiative.
Similarly, the former prime minister was investigated for his alleged involvement under the same initiative.
Previously, The Vibes reported that Muhyiddin’s son-in-law might be a key player in the RM1.2 billion NIISe concession as he has links to one of the project’s frontrunners, security solutions provider S5 Holdings Inc.
Company filings show that Datuk Muhamad Adlan Berhan, married to Muhyiddin’s daughter, Nabilah, is a shareholder of Agathistwo Jia Sdn Bhd.
He was a director of the company too, and although he resigned on September 21, 2018, he remains among its owners.
The other Agathistwo Jia directors are businessmen Lim Beng Guan and Choong Khoong Liang.
Lim, also the founder of boutique financial house ZJ Advisory Sdn Bhd, is the sole director and shareholder of Avocat Sdn Bhd, which is among the shareholders of S5 with a 3.62% stake.
Other S5 owners are MyEG Services Bhd’s subsidiary MyEG Capital Sdn Bhd (10%), S7 Holdings Sdn Bhd (76.38%) and Merrington Assets Ltd (10%).
NIIS was mooted by Muhyiddin, then home minister, under the previous Pakatan Harapan government, after cancelling its predecessor Sistem Kawalan Imigresen Nasional due to inflated costs. – The Vibes, February 28, 2023
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