IPOH – Elected representatives should carefully screen their aides and officers after a rash of corruption cases have been linked to some of them, said Lawyers for Justice movement coordinator S. Raveentharan.
He said it is unfair for politicians to take the blame for their staffers even though they are employed by elected reps. “It is impossible to ensure that each worker we hire turns out to be good. Character assessments can sometimes be flawed, but leaders must ensure that their officers are held accountable.”
Raveentharan told The Vibes that certain standard operating procedures can be put in place to minimise graft, including prohibiting aides from making decisions where large sums of money are involved.
He also said that manipulating elected representatives into defecting or sabotaging their respective political parties can be interpreted as a form of criminal intimidation.
“The problem is the difficulty in finding evidence, as the politicians will not divulge information for fear of repercussions. Politics in Malaysia has gone beyond the gutter. It is now counterproductive to nation building and this rash of defections is an attempt to sabotage PKR.”
The party is being attacked unless its leaders and members can close ranks and unite against corruption, the lawyer added.
Earlier, Kuala Langat MP Datuk Xavier Jayakumar announced his resignation as party vice-president and member, opting to support the Perikatan Nasional government as an independent.
“Throughout my career as a politician, I have been with PKR since 1998,” he said in a brief statement today. “However, following the events that have unfolded in this past year, I have grown extremely frustrated.”
Announcing his resignation with immediate effect, Xavier said he will continue to serve his constituency and support the government as an independent MP. “I am confident that I will fulfil my election promises to the people of Kuala Langat.”
His departure from PKR makes him the third MP to cross over in recent weeks, with Julau’s Larry Sng and Tebrau's Steven Choong also exiting the party to support Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration.
Perak opposition leader Abdul Aziz Bari of DAP reckoned that Xavier quit the party because authorities may have access to “skeletons in the closet”. He said it is unfortunate that defections of elected reps can cause the downfall of elected governments.
PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said there is a concerted effort by the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government to get opposition MPs’ support by way of bait and threats using police, the Inland Revenue Board, and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
Xavier recently met with the PKR leadership to inform them that the MACC has detained his political secretary, personal assistant, and several acquaintances as part of an ongoing investigation. “Xavier was then contacted by a senior minister, who told him that he has to support PN or face serious consequences,” Saifuddin said.
“However, what is happening now is that government instruments, including MACC, are being used by senior politicians in the PN administration to divert the support of PH MPs and the opposition.
“This is a form of abuse of power, especially when we are aware of the corruption and abuse of power committed by the government, and no action is taken.” – The Vibes, March 13, 2021
