The whistleblower who produced evidence alleging corrupt practices by Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin has made more claims against the former Bachok MP.
In an anonymous blog posting, the person identifying himself as Whistleblower 771, claimed that Awang’s (right) explanation of the cash deposits into his personal account was only “half-truths”.
The blogger said this was because the cash deposits were made in Awang’sname in his capacity as chairperson of the Skim Jejak Jaya Bumiputera (SJJB) working committee.
While he does not furnish documentary evidence this time, Whistblower 771 said according to a “trustworthy source”, the SJJB committee is also “the committee to initiate all major government contract awards”.
“As the (chairperson) of the SJJB working committee, he has all the right to initiate and make ‘recommendations’ on any major government contract award,” he says.
According to its official website, the functions of SJJB include “identifying Bumiputera companies that possess the required capabilities, providing them with the ‘last mile’ assistance to ensure that these companies qualify for (public) listing”.
Among the bumiputera companies SJJB assisted in listing is Psetarian Bhd, which TA Securities says received many government contracts “in relation to the company’s involvement in the SJJB programme”.
In the new posting, the whistleblower also produced a copy of a payment voucher for RM80,000 from Advance Maintenance Precision Management Sdn Bhd (AMPMSB) to Awang.
The recipient column on the document dated Dec 12, 2010 is left empty, but in an apparent post its note states that the payment was for “the account of the Bachok MP”.
The Bachok MP is however PAS leader Nasharuddin Mat Isa, who defeated Awang in the 2008 election.
‘Contravened MACC Act’
Earlier, the blogger had produced documentary evidence alleging that Awang had received “contributions” for the award of the Sultan Iskandar building and Johor Bahru Sentral.
The project was awarded to AMPMSB, whose managing director is Umno Pasir Gudang committee member Yahya Abdul Jalil.
It is uncertain if AMPMSB is among the companies involved in the bumiputera scheme.
In response to the earlier allegations, Awang had said that he has no power as deputy finance minister to approve contracts, and that the contributions made to his personal account were for his constituency’s welfare programmes.
Commenting on this, the whistleblower said the senator’s admission showed he had contravened the Malaysian Anti Corruption Act, as pointed out by NGO leader Robert Phang and MACC advisory panel chairperson Zaitun Zawiyah Puteh.
Also implicated in the allegations against Awang Adek were aides to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
Muhyiddin has said he was probing the matter internally, but the whistleblower pointed out that no news has emerged on that investigation since then.
Malaysiakini has contacted Awang and is awaiting his reply.
Azalina’s car sale over-priced
Meanwhile, on a separate allegation, Whistleblower 771 also questioned the response of former youth and sports minister Azalina Othman (left), also involving the AMPMSB.
The blogger said that explanation, made on behalf of the Pengerang MP, did not gel as the sale price of the classic Mercedes Benz car is higher than the market value of RM188,000.
“The car was first advertised…(on) the Internet (on www.carlist.my) on March 4, 2011, and is believed sold as the owner updated (the posting) on Apr 4, 2011.
“(This) is four working days after Yahya Abdul Jalil or AMPMSB issued a cheque ‘valued’ at RM300,000 in (Azalina’s) name. Talk about pure coincidence,” the blogger said.
The blogger supported this with a copy of a payment voucher from AMPSB to Azalina for RM300,000 but the description was left blank.
In contrast, Whistleblower 771 produced another payment voucher by AMPSB to Naza Motor Trading Sdn Bhd clearly stipulated for the “Purchase of an Audi 2008″.
Azalina, via her media officer, had previously refuted claims of “contributions” and said it was payment for the sale of the classic car.
