Bersatu accuses MACC of ‘political persecution, conspiracy’ again

KUALA LUMPUR –  Bersatu has lodged a police report urging authorities to investigate the “political persecution” of the party’s secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin. 

This follows Hamzah being named, in his capacity as then home minister, in the charge sheet of a RM5 million corruption case involving businessman Datuk Seri Sim Choo Thiam. 

Speaking to reporters after filing the report at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters here today, Hamzah’s special officer Ahmad Ikhwan Fadhli said the main aim of the report is to urge the police to investigate any party that interferes with Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) procedures. 

“We also want the police to look into the government conspiracy where agencies have been used to tarnish (Hamzah’s) reputation.”

He also said that the report will clear Hamzah’s name from any accusations linked to events that “never happened”.

Also present outside the station here was Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, who assured that more reports on the matter will be lodged nationwide. 

Taking aim at MACC, Wan Fayhsal, who is also Machang MP, said the anti-graft body is “once again” targeting Bersatu leaders, after previous graft investigations against party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and former information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan. 

“Why was (Hamzah) only called to give his statement to MACC after (Sim) was charged in court? 

“This is a form of political persecution and assassination against Bersatu leaders because (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) is afraid of his administration falling.”

On Wednesday, Sim, 53, was charged by the sessions court here for soliciting and accepting bribes amounting to RM15 million to secure projects from the Home Ministry in 2021, during Hamzah’s tenure as minister. 

Hamzah subsequently said the case aimed to damage the good name of Perikatan Nasional and linchpin Bersatu.

Wan Fayhsal also took issue with MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki’s contract extension, recalling how Anwar and other Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders had once voiced their condemnation of Azam following allegations that the latter owned shares and warrants.  

“It is quite shocking that Azam’s contract has been extended by a year because as we know, the prime minister was once against him (Azam). 

“He (Anwar) even took to the streets with party members who are now ministers, including (Economy Minister) Rafizi Ramli. 

“It is almost as if Azam’s contract extension has cleared all accusations and allegations raised against him,” Wan Fayhsal said to cheers of approval from the group of Bersatu supporters gathered here.

In January last year, hundreds of Malaysians had taken to the streets to call for action against Azam after he was embroiled in controversy surrounding his ownership of shares in two public-listed companies. – The Vibes, May 12, 2023