KUALA LUMPUR – Police have seized an official vehicle belonging to the Melaka government alleged to have still been in the possession of former state exco Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee.
The black Toyota Camry was seized by police at a Jalan Tun Perak parking lot in Melaka town at 11.20am yesterday.
State police chief Datuk Abdul Majid Mohd Ali said the seizure followed a police report lodged over the misuse of a state government vehicle.
Last Sunday, Norhizam, who is Pengkalan Batu assemblyman, had refused to return the official car provided to him unless the state secretary organised a special handover ceremony for all former state exco members, including those currently serving in the caretaker government.
He had said he did not recognise this caretaker government, even if state assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh had appointed chief minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali to continue serving on a caretaker basis following the dissolution of the state assembly.
On October 4, Norhizam, along with Datuk Seri Idris Haron (Sg Udang-BN), Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundor-BN) and Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad (Telok Mas-Bersatu) had withdrawn their support for the state leadership, citing loss of confidence in Sulaiman’s handling of the government.
Idris and Effandi were also in the state executive council before they withdrew their support for Sulaiman. Idris was Melaka chief minister from 2013 to 2018.
Majid said the police report was lodged by a staff member from the state government, stating that the vehicle concerned had not been returned.
“Yesterday, the police made an application at the Ayer Keroh magistrates’ court for a search warrant to track and seize objects related to the case.
“Following this, a police team seized the Toyota Camry along with the keys, a Touch ’n Go card and a petrol card,” Majid said.
So far, five witnesses have given official statements to assist with investigations, among them a staff member from the state government.
It is understood Norhizam will be called in to give a statement to police as well.
Majid said the case is being investigated under Section 403 of the Penal Code for dishonest misappropriation of property. – The Vibes, October 13, 2021
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