The highly reputed Hong Kong ICAC has washed its hands off the RM40 million Musa Aman 'matter' and even retracted its probe application with the Swiss Court.
KOTA KINABALU: The Umno-led Barisan Nasional government’s attempt to “clear” Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman of allegations of money laundering after some RM40 million had floated up out of nowhere, has raised more questions of how political parties are funded, said State Reform Party (STAR).
The party’s deputy chairman, Daniel John Jambun, said many are now questioning the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Aziz’s statement as to why businessman Michael Chia “contributed” a whopping RM40 million to Sabah Umno.
Nazri yesterday said that Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail had found “no elements of corruption” from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) probe on Musa regarding the RM40 million, which Chia was caught with red-handed in Hong Kong in 2008 as he was about to fly to Malaysia.
The media had reported then that Chia had allegedly told the Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) that the RM40 million belonged to Musa.
Nazri yesterday said the money was only a “contribution” to Sabah Umno which is led by Musa.
“It is not for the private use of the the chief minister,” he said in a written reply to Batu MP Tian Chua’s earlier question in Parliament.
Speaking to FMT, Jambun said the question now to be asked is how and from where did the RM40 million originate and for what purpose.
“By saying it is just a contribution to Sabah Umno, did Nazri mean that Sabah Umno always gets such whopping contributions from businessmen?
“On top of that, could Nazri please enlighten us on how many years has Sabah Umno been receiving such contributions? Why was the money not channelled direct to the state government or NGOs instead?”
Jambun, who is also chairman of UK-based Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPi MaFo), also asked Nazri to reveal how much Umno has been receiving all these years from businessmen.
“If Sabah Umno got RM40 million in 2008, then this only raises further questions as to how much money Perak Umno, Selangor Umno, Pahang Umno, Malacca Umno and Kelantan Umno had been getting from businessmen,” Jambun said, adding that Nazri’s statement has opened a can of worms.
Musa denied links to Chia
He said while some would take Nazri’s statement at face value, the majority are stunned by the revelation.
Jambun also questioned if Nazri’s contention that the ICAC did not wish to pursue the issue was a fact.
“Even if Musa is cleared, does it mean that bringing in and out cash to the tune of RM40 million is legal here and in Hong Kong? How come no one from Sabah Umno has claimed that the money belongs to Sabah Umno before this?
“Why did Umno president Najib Tun Razak keep silent about this? And now [why] is Nazri compelled to ‘agree’ with Musa’s recent claim that the money was not his but belongs to Umno?” Jambun asked.
Online news portals in 2008 reported that Hong Kong authorities had launched an investigation into a major money-laundering operation following the detention of Chia who was caught with the bag of cash as he was about to leave the territory.
Earlier this year, Sarawak Report published documents purportedly from the ICAC that showed that a Swiss bank account in the name of a lawyer in Sabah contained some US$30 million (RM92 million) and was allegedly being held for Musa.
The report claimed that a paper trail showed that millions in euros, US dollars, Hong Kong and Singapore dollars were channelled from several firms to a number of British Virgin Island companies and subsequently to the Swiss account.
The transactions were believed to have been managed by Hong Kong-based timber trader Chia who was later arrested and charged with money laundering after attempting to smuggle S$16 million (RM40 million) back to Malaysia.
Musa has denied any link to Chia who, according to media reports, had allegedly told the Hong Kong authorities that the money belonged to Musa.
“I deny all these allegations. I wish to put it on record once again that I have no business association whatsoever with an individual named Michael Chia,” Musa said after the issue came to light and fingers were pointed at him as being involved.
Musa accused Sarawak Report of defaming him, claiming the graft allegations were likely part of a conspiracy by his detractors who wanted to topple Barisan Nasional in Sabah.
Meanwhile, Nazri said yesterday that the ICAC, which has gained international reputation for its no-holds-barred professional investigations, has decided to wash its hands off the whole matter and has even retracted its application for an investigation of the matter with the Swiss courts.
“The application done under MACMA [Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act] was also withdrawn for the same reason,” said Nazri, the Padang Rengas MP.
Luke Rintod
Musa Aman is the best Chief Minister that Sabah ever had.
ReplyDeleteAll of these accusation has been withdrawn...so there is no issues here...
It is no issue, just that the opposition don't want to let go any chances to ruin BN image.
DeleteMusa Aman colleagues in the leader's of BN fortress has been described him as doing a great job and has worked tirelessly for the state.
DeleteCase is closed. What's the fuss anymore?
Deletethat's why opposition desperately need to use dirty tactics to topple Sabah state government..
DeleteMusa Aman the biggest croc CM in the history of Sabah.
ReplyDeleteReally? I tot YTL yang pernah dilarang masuk pilihan raya selama 5 tahun tu yang paling teruk.
Deletehahaha, ni saya tau, YTL guna cara kotor untuk menang undi, buat malu je SAPP masih dibawah jagaan dia.
DeleteMusa Aman the one that bring progress to Sabah. In the last five years, the rains have been good, the KLSE is zooming up, agricultural income is booming and real estate is making middle-class families millionaires. Many middle-class voters say “Musa’s rule is auspicious.”
DeleteThe Musa government has created the “feel good” factor by giving electricity supply to most homes in Sabah. There is a vital difference between the 2003 situation and now. Of course there is still power cuts but its not as bad as what it was before 2003.
DeleteMusa has succeeded in setting up new power plants and have changed infrastructure fundamentals big time. Now with the setting up of Kimanis RM1.5bil gas-fired plant a 300MW power plant to address the power supply issue in the state, things will get even better.
DeleteEh, not Harris Salleh or Osu Sukam was the most crock CM??
Deletethe biggest croc is Yong Teck Lee.. that's why he able to make sabah suffer (almost bankrupt) in only two years.. I repeat.. IN ONLY TWO YEARS!!
DeleteSabah is run by corrupted idiots and only those idiots believe there is no corruption involved in the ill gotten RM40 million which is the rakyat's money.
ReplyDeleteSabah been interfere by opposition badly, Sabahan way better than you guy saying people idiots, haughty!
DeleteApalah orang tu tu tau apa berlaku, dia hanya pandai baca berita pakatan rakyat.
DeleteOpposition parties are led by corrupted politicians.
DeleteI believe it because this case has been investigated by not only MACC but also by highly respected corruption fighter in the world ICAC..
Deleteduit ini memang Musa Aman punya.suruh dia bersumpah di masjid macam 3 pelakon yang nak kenakan DSAI.
ReplyDeleteSudah dinyatakan duit tu bukan Musa Aman punya. Anwar tu naik jet yang kita semua pun tidak tahu daripada duit jet tu?? mungkin duit dari negeri2 pembangkang..
DeleteAlaaa,satu lagi orang ni tidak paham paham, nama Musa sudah dibersihkan ba.
Delete"3 pelakon yang nak kenakan DSAI" maksudnya?
DeleteAnwar tu sampai sekarang takut nak bersumpah.
DeleteSumpah bukan mainan. kalau bersalah lebih baik minta keampunan dari Tuhan.
DeleteKes sudah ditutup tapi masih mahu suruh bersumpah lagi?
DeleteAnonymousOctober 13, 2012 10:00 AM
Deletekau pegawai sprm? pegawai ICAC?? kalau bukan bagus ko diam saja la bro. kalau kau ada bukti kukuh yang masih fresh, dedahkan saja atau serahkan terus kepada badan pencegah rasuah.. tidak payah la kau melalak konon duit itu memang musa aman yang punya sedangkan ko tidak ada bukti pun..
Of course ICAC HK washed its hand off coz our govern says there is nothing wrong with this case. What else can ICAC do?
ReplyDeleteFunny thing is if there is nothing wrong with this case why carry so much cash from Sabah through overseas then come back KL? No bank in M'sia is it?
If it does have corruption element, ICAC surely will continue the investigation, not as what you mentioned.
Deleteya.. ICAC lagi dikenali badan paling telus..
DeletePembangkang sendiri mengiktiraf ketelusan dan ketegasan ICAC dalam menyiasat rasuah.
DeleteWhy must the ICAC listens to the govt? The govt could not control the ICAC either.
Deletethe funny thing is, to whom you ask the question?? do you already know who the contributor is???
Deletethen, why must pakatan depend so much on Soros donations??
As we know the money not for Musa Aman personal use. Opposition don't spin the fact.
ReplyDeleteStubborn....PM and Sabah CM, the leaders already said the money was not for personal usage, just accept the truth please.
Deletepembangkang takkan puas hati dan akan terus manipulasikan isu ini. kita jgn mudah terpedaya dgn pembangkang.
DeleteThe opposition are only making more negative assumption rather than facts.
DeleteI think the opposition is trying to cover up their political donations which come from Soros..
DeleteIT IS SUPPOSE NO POSER HERE. EVERY PARTI HAS THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE CONTRIBUTION
ReplyDeleteThat is the truth, people can't see the fact.
DeleteEven NGO receive contribution from foreign fund.
DeleteThe opposition are purposely speculating this issue.
Deleteby looking at opposition criticism, seems like only opposition is allowed to receive political funds..
Deletewell, u know...this is the main priority of oppositions. manipulating the situation
ReplyDeleteThe main tactic and strategic for gooey opposition....
DeleteOpposition will use this issue to garner votes.
Deletemanipulating the situation is much easy to fish votes than going to the ground to meet the people who really need their help..
DeleteMusa Aman is nothing to do with the money laundering even with Micheal Chia
ReplyDeleteThey tried to relate Micheal Chia with CM all the time, mess up....
DeleteHe has no business association with individual named Michael Chia.
Deletebut Anwar have a business with George Soros.. I wonder where Anwar get he $$$$ to buy private jet, bus, treler, 4WD, bungalow, etc, etc..
DeleteFrom my point of view, Musa Aman is one kind of leader, what?
ReplyDeletefrom my point of view, Musa Aman not involved in this corruption scandal.. even opposition leaders unable to give some more new evidences to substantiate their allegation..
Deleteyah..absolutely! but, this is the job of oppositions!
ReplyDeleteopposition is to against the government, they are doing there job by the way.
DeleteTrue. We shouldn't fall into their traps. The speculations merely to divert the attention.
Deletejust let them with their stupid "job".. I'm sure they will be rejected again by the people in this coming election..
Deletehaiya.... suppose to be unite boh.. not blaming or fallen each other,,
ReplyDeletethis is politics. well' we know that..
Deletethey never satisfied that Musa's name has been cleared! no more accuse.. but, see..
ReplyDeleteWhat ever it's happen, opposition will try to provoke chaos.
DeleteOpposition can't accept the truth. Musa Aman is clear
Deletethey afraid that they will have no more issues to be played during election campaign..
DeleteMusa adalah KM Sabah yang terbaik, dia byk bawa kemajuan kepada Sabah.
ReplyDeleteTeruskan usaha untuk memajukan Sabah.
Deletesukar bagi pembangkang mengakui bahawa hanya selepas 2003 barulah pembangunan di negeri ini berkembang maju..
DeleteSabah juga dari segi kewangan adalah 'sihat' dengan simpanan sebanyak RM2 bilion, angka paling tinggi sejak Musa menjadi ketua menteri enam tahun yang lalu.
ReplyDeletepengurusan kewangan Sabah diuruskan dengan cekap.
DeleteBon Sabah menerima rating A tiga kali ganda daripada Rating Agency of Malaysia (RAM)
ReplyDeleteDan ini adalah fakta, bukannya auta.
DeleteThe RM300- million International Technology Commercial Centre Penampang (ITCC- Penampang) is taking shape as structural works began yesterday.
ReplyDeleteIn a symbolic ceremony of filling concrete to the pile cap performed by Sabanilam Enterprise Sdn Bhd Executive Director Datuk Seri Panglima Clarence Bongkos Malakun, its Managing Director Datin Seri Sylvia Malakun, main contractor Masenang Sdn Bhd Managing director Kong Hock Sian and invited guests, the centre is expected to open its doors in 2015.
ReplyDeleteAt the ceremony yesterday, a Kadazan traditional rite, ‘poposungkad’ was performed before the pile cap was filled.
ReplyDeleteIt involved the strewing of salt around the area by a village elder. This ritual is usually performed before a house is built.
Malakun said he is confident Masenang, with its good track record will be able to complete the work within 30 months.
ReplyDelete“After all the documentation is done, I expect to see all of you at the grand launching of the ITCC-Penampang on September 15 2015,” he said.
pemimpin2 yang hampir membankrapkan sabah hanya dalam masa dua tahun, tidak pula dituduh sebagai corrupt, sebaliknya pemimpin2 yang berjaya membangunkan ekonomi negeri ini pula yang dituduh corrupt..
ReplyDeletepolitik memang begini, siapa di atas akan ada yang cuba jatuhkan.
Deleteuntuk lebih adil, media dan penyokong2 pembangkang patut juga mempertikaikan kemewahan pemimpin2 Pakatan dan juga penggunaan dana asing oleh jentera2 politik mereka..
ReplyDeletewalaupun sudah dijawab tapi pembangkang tetap mahu mainkan isu ini.
ReplyDeleteAmongst other things, Sabah’s per capita income in 2010 went up fromRM14,829 to RM17,242.
ReplyDelete
DeleteAnd during the same period, the rate of unemployment also dropped from 5.6 per cent to 5.4 per cent.
Apart from that, Sabah had already spent 75.5 per cent of the state allocation and 74.9 per cent of federal allocation to undertake development projects last year.
DeleteHead of State Tun Haji Juhar Haji Mahiruddin pointed out (during opening the first sitting of the State Legislative Assembly’s fifth session) that Sabah must shift from the low value commodity-based economy to one of high value and innovative that was knowledge- based.
Delete
DeleteTun Juhar said the dependence on several major commodities alone would not strengthen the state’s economy.
DeleteAnd, he also stressed the need for development of the industrial and service sectors. As a state that is rich with natural resources, Sabah has the edge to further develop these two sectors.
DeleteCommending the Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman) on his efforts to develop the oil and gas industry, the Governor also extended his appreciation to the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) for his support.
He was confident that with the commitment of the state government and the support and assistance of the federal government, the huge investment in the oil and gas sector would certainly boost Sabah’s economic growth.
DeleteThis will also help ensure the success of the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) in the state.
DeleteTun Juhar also said RM77.5 billion was needed to carry out 31 entry point projects (EPPs) in Sabah.
Delete
DeleteThe federal government would provide eight per cent of the amount to assist the private sector to kick off the projects.
DeleteA comprehensive implementation plan for each of EPP is ready and the private sector must seize the opportunity to invest in these EPP projects.
DeleteThe Governor added that the projects under the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) had been implemented smoothly, with 98.4 per cent of the RM100.4 million allocation utilised last year.