RM8 billion MAS loss: Who is protecting Tajuddin?

UALA LUMPUR: Who is protecting former Malaysia Airlines Sdn Bhd (MAS) chairman Tajuddin Ramli from being investigated in relation to the RM8 billion loss the airline suffered in 2002? This was the question posed by PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub at a news conference earlier today.

Displaying a document related to the RM8 billion loss, he asked why the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had not taken action on a complaint lodged against Tajuddin.

He also asked why MACC had forwarded the complaint to the Commercial Crime Investigation Department.

“Who is protecting this criminal and this big case from being investigated?

“We want to know why MACC did not act on a report lodged by MAS against Tajuddin . MACC should have investigated the report but it instead forwarded the complaint to the Commercial Crime Investigation Departmednt,” he said.

Salahuddin also showed reporters a letter dated March 26, 2007 from the former Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Ramli Yusoff to then prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The letter detailed the allegation against Tajuddin.

“Ramli had a special meeting with Abdullah where he explained that the contents of the letter were sufficient evidence to charge Tajudin.

“Even the Commercial Crime Investigation Department had made several proposals for prosecution but no drastic action had been taken in the case,” he said.

Salahuddin added that there appeared to be a conspiracy between the MACC and the police.

“Going by this document, MAS is of the opinion that MACC’s disclosure of the matter to the police shows a collaboration to cover up the loss,” he said.

MAS loss as big as PKFZ

Salahuddin said when such protection exists, the criminal is never blamed and will continue to live comfortably after cheating the people.

He said MAS’ lawyer Lee Hishamuddin Allen had handed the document to MAS, demanding to know how it could have disclosed the information to the police

“MAS is suspicious of MACC which hasd clearly failed to safeguard this secret and important document,” he said.

MACC must immediately explain its decision to involve the police and prove that it was carrying out its responsibility with the fullest integrity.

“MAS’ loss is as big as PKFZ (Port Klang FreeZone),” said the Kubang Kerian MP.

He said he himself had written to the Public Accounts Committee about the RM8 billion loss but todate there had been no response.

Salahuddin said he had handed the letter to PAC chairman Azmi Khalid in Parliament last year.

“I find there are several factors that must be studied and investigated but the PAC has been silent on this.

‘If indeed this document is true, then why have not the people who committed this breach of trust been brought to justice?” Salahuddin asked.

FMT
17/08/10

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