Sixteen company directors were picked up by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over their alleged involvement in the misappropriation of the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) funds.
The suspects, aged between 24 and 68, were nabbed at various locations in the Klang Valley and Perak, yesterday.
Graft busters, however, did not discount the possibility of more individuals being nabbed.
“More people and companies could be involved … We are not discounting that possibility. But we need to investigate the alleged abuse by the 16, first,” said a MACC source.
“The higher-ups are still waiting for the detailed reports on the arrests.”
It is understood that the 16 had received the grants but had not used them for the intended purposes. The MITRA funds were to be used for socio-economic programmes to benefit the Indian community.
A large chunk of the allocations received by the companies and individuals did not reach the target groups.
MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki, when contacted by Twentytwo13, confirmed the arrests.
According to its website, MITRA was launched in 2014. It was rebranded, with its current name, in 2018.
MITRA’s major role is to identify current issues and challenges affecting the Indian community, implement socio-economic development initiatives and coordinate cooperation between the government and the private sector, towards the development of the community.
MITRA comes under the National Unity Ministry. The ministry has yet to respond to the matter.
Here are Twentytwo13’s news highlights today.
MYANMAR MUST ENSURE EFFECTIVE REPATRIATION OF REFUGEES
Myanmar must ensure the effective repatriation of refugees and protect the human rights of the returnees to the country, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He also said Malaysia agreed with Asean Chair, Brunei, to exclude Myanmar from the 38th and 39th Asean Summit and Related Summits. The virtual three-day summits began today.
The decision to exclude Myanmar was due to the internal unrest in the country since the junta overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb 1.
Asean invited a non-political representative to represent the country at the summits.
Ismail Sabri also said all matters associated with the South China Sea must be resolved peacefully and constructively, following universally recognised principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on The Law of The Sea (UNCLOS).
Malaysia remained committed to ratifying the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) by the end of this year, as it would help expedite regional recovery.
MELAKA POLLS BETWEEN BALANCING SAFETY AND DEMOCRACY, SAYS HISHAMMUDDIN
As Melaka heads to the polls, the government has to strike a balance between public safety, and upholding democratic principles.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the government was fully aware of the public’s concerns, and assured them that the state election would adhere to strict standard operating procedures.
“This is so that everything that we have done in response to Covid-19 will not go down the drain just because of one state election,” he said.
The Health Ministry had banned all activities, gatherings and social events related to the election. This irked several lawmakers, who claimed that the decision was confusing, as malls and social activities were allowed as Melaka was now in Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan.
Malaysians, however, still remember the sudden surge in Covid-19 cases that took place right after the Sabah state election last year.
SPORTS MINISTER SAYS COMMENTS ON PANDELELA’S SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIMS ‘TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT’
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said he was misquoted by the media, following his comments regarding Datuk Pandelela Rinong’s recent claims, that she suffered sexual harassment during training in the past.
He said his remarks questioning why the diving star only spoke up about the issue now, and not before, had been taken out of context by the press.
“The government views the matter seriously, what more if acts beyond sexual harassment perpetrated by coaches or officials, had taken place,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat.
“What I said in a press conference yesterday is that we have to obtain a full and detailed explanation from Datuk Pandelela herself and those allegedly involved in the acts … this may have been taken out of context by the media.”
SAYA ANAK SARAWAK FOUNDER TELLS AHMAD FAIZAL TO RESIGN
Saya Anak Sarawak founder, Peter John Jaban, has asked Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu to resign.
This comes after Ahmad Faizal questioned why two-time Olympic medallist Datuk Pandelela Rinong revealed how she was allegedly bullied by a former coach after she confronted him over his lewd jokes.
“We would also like to call for an immediate overhaul of the system that forced Pandelela, and presumably, many athletes into such a position,” Peter said in a statement today.
“The minister’s archaic attitude to the issue is victim-shaming at its worst. It is no wonder that Pandelela chose to stay silent all these years.
“We have seen examples of schoolgirls being attacked by the education system for raising similar issues. Victim-blaming is unacceptable.”
SELANGOR ATHLETICS ASSOCIATION VEEP TAKES OUSTED PRESIDENT TO TASK OVER NEWS ARTICLE
Selangor Athletics Association (SAA) vice-president A. Varughese is puzzled over a statement its ousted president, Datuk S.M. Muthu, provided to an English news website recently.
Muthu was quoted by Free Malaysia Today as saying that as president, he had the right to generate money for the association, and there was no need for him to seek the approval of the affiliates and executive committee members.
“Probably, he has failed to understand that the management of SAA is entrusted to the elected office bearers as stated under Clause 17(17.1) Main Committee. As such, the president is duty-bound to discuss and explain his plans for SAA to the main committee, and probably get their blessings, before sanctioning it,” Varughese said in a statement.
“Although his motives might be noble, he cannot run an association in an autocratic manner where the members of the main committee are left in the dark.”
Concerns were raised following allegations of SAA’s “missing” fixed deposits, totalling RM110,000. This led to the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) held over the weekend, which saw a majority of its affiliates voting to give Muthu the boot.
