KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 4, 2008): A former Selangor Umno veteran leader has lodged a second report with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday for allegedly practising money politics to win the support of Umno division heads nationwide.
Datuk Mazlan Harun lodged a similar report against the prime minister a month ago in reference to a letter containing the allegations sent to the Umno secretary-general by Petaling Jaya Umno head Kapt (R) Zahar Hashim.
In today's report, Mazlan, who was accompanied by Muar Umno chief Datuk Kadar Shah Tun Sulaiman, claimed he had physical evidence and witnesses to the allegations.
The men arrived at the Kuala Lumpur ACA headquarters at about 9.15am and stepped out about two hours after having a statement recorded by the state's deputy director Kassim Osman.
Mazlan declined to elaborate on what he had told the ACA as he had been told not to do so by the agency but Kadar Shah told reporters that they had decided to lodge the report as they were unhappy with the ACA's snail-paced progress in the probe into Zahar's report.
"It has been a month since the first report was lodged but to date nothing is moving nor has there been anyone summoned for questioning. But I do understand that they probably could not move due to instructions from their bosses," he said.
Kadar Shah claimed in relation to the first ACA report, he has photos to prove the allegations and there are several witnesses who are willing to come forward to substantiate what had taken place.
Zahar in his letter alleged that the PM had between May and June specially invited Umno division chiefs from several states to the city where he held closed door meetings with them to garner their support.
It was also alleged that Abdullah had provided free hotel accomodation, given out pocket money and gifts such as sarongs, all of which were funded by taxpayers money.
He claimed this had breached Umno's ethics and code of ethics.
Zahar had also stated in his letter that Abdullah's actions in naming Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak as his successor as a political bribe "of the highest order".
Kadar Shah said the ACA had assured him and Mazlan that they will investigate.
Charles Ramendran
The Sun
05/09/08
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