PARLIAMENT | Selangor BN chief Noh Omar (above) today claimed that Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali would label the MACC arrests over the Ijok land imbroglio as being politically motivated.
"That is the MACC'S duty (to investigate). We want to see what the menteri besar will say.
"I am confident he will say it was because there are 'political instructions' (given to MACC)," said Noh.
He was asked for his comments on the MACC's arrests of six individuals yesterday in connection with the controversial RM1.18 billion land deal.
"Just wait and see. I am confident that the MB will issue a statement to criticise MACC's actions. That is his style," Noh told a press conference at the Parliament building today.
Noh, who earlier delivered his ministry's winding-up speech in the Dewan Rakyat, said he had prepared answers related to a question by Irmohizam Ibrahim (BN-Kuala Selangor) on the Ijok land matter to be delivered during the debate on the royal address.
"But both Kuala Selangor and Gombak (Azmin) was not present (in the Dewan) so it would be pointless for me to answer," he said.
According to MACC chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad, the agency was focussing on the payout of about RM200 million to five companies involved in the transaction.
Selangor Menteri Besar's Office strategic communications director Yin Shao Loong, meanwhile, clarified that the arrests were made in relation to a private individuals deal which the state government was not involved in.
"Contrary to false reports, the state has not surrendered its ownership of any land in the area that it has won through the courts," said Yin (below) in a statement.
He also said that the actions of a credible anti-corruption agency should not be based on political agendas.
"As a government elected on an anti-corruption ticket, the Selangor Pakatan government welcomes strict anti-corruption measures.
"Malaysia must be liberated from the scourge of corruption, therefore it deserves an independent agency capable of realising this agenda," said Yin.
BN has taken issue with the Ijok land transaction, asking why compensation paid out to 981 settlers was just a fraction of the land sale value and why the matter was settled before going to the Federal Court.
Special allowance for firefighters
Noh, who is also urban wellbeing, housing and local government minister, earlier announced that all 13,342 firefighters nationwide would be receiving a special monthly allowance of RM200 beginning April 1.
"Firemen are heroes that we hardly hear of.
"There were those who lost their lives while carrying out their duty. The allowance is the government’s appreciation for their services to the country," said Noh, adding that RM32 million in additional allocations has been approved for his ministry.
He also said Prime Minister Najib Razak has approved an allocation to increase the allowance rate for 2,500 auxiliary firemen registered with the Fire and Rescue Services Department.
"This afternoon, the prime minister has agreed to increased the allowance rate for auxiliary firemen from RM6 to RM8 per hour for ordinary staff and from RM7.80 to RM9.80 for officers," said Noh. -Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.