[UPDATED] ‘Assets fell short of repayment but Rina cleared of corruption charges?’

KUALA LUMPUR – Lim Guan Eng (Bagan-PH) today poured scorn on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) decision to clear women’s minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun (Titiwangsa-Bersatu) of graft, seeking an explanation from Putrajaya how this could happen.

Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, Lim questioned the women, family and community development minister’s ability to settle her debt amounting to more than RM1 million when her declared assets fell way short of the repayment.

“In 2019, her assets declared were only RM72,000. Now, MACC is saying its investigation found that there is no element of corruption.

“If there is no case, can the government explain how from an asset of RM72,000, she was able to repay RM1.3 million in debt. Where did the money come from?

“In the spirit of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the government and Pakatan Harapan recently, can an answer be given on this matter? I hope at least the MACC can explain.”

Lim said this in debating the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s opening address of the current parliamentary session.

His remark is in relation to a written parliamentary reply by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Bera-BN) to a question from Hannah Yeoh (Segambut-PH) yesterday on the status of the MACC investigation into Rina. 

Earlier this year, several quarters urged for Rina to be investigated after she settled her debt of RM1.34 million to a Paris-based film production company, questioning her source of income. 

In Ismail Sabri’s reply, he said the probe is complete and the authorities found no wrongdoing on her part. 

Lim today urged the government not to abuse MACC as a political weapon to benefit itself. 

He brought up how several opposition MPs have been investigated, charged and threatened with action when they went against the government, but had their cases dropped immediately upon switching allegiances. 

“It’s like a magic show. This is not the MACC that the rakyat want. What they want is an MACC that fights corruption, not covers it up.”

Previously, a number of opposition leaders alleged their MPs were threatened with action if they did not support the government. 

A number of lawmakers from the opposition, including Kuala Langat MP Datuk Xavier Jayakumar, who were previously under investigation, have also seen their cases dropped once they turned government-friendly independents. – The Vibes, September 15, 2021