Recently, a disgruntled Mohd Asri Hamid, better known as Asri Janggut, shared a video alleging the authorities failed to act against gambling dens in Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh.
The Hot Burger Malaysia founder was frustrated with the double standards by the Shah Alam City Council which had taken action against his burger stall but allegedly did not act against those who ran illegal activities in the area. He also took a swipe at the local police.
The video, which went viral, prompted Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Hamid Bador to meet Asri on Aug 10.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission sprang into action and four Shah Alam City Council enforcement officers were nabbed for allegedly taking bribes, ranging from RM300 to RM3,500 per premise, from illegal business operators in the area.
The anti-graft body also picked up a suspect, a petty trader believed to be from Aceh, as he was alleged to have sold illicit cigarettes and had paid monthly bribes of RM300 since last year to avoid being caught by the authorities.
It’s amazing how one video, by a frustrated man who sells burgers, can lead to the arrest of a handful of people.
But now Asri is in trouble as police are investigating him over his latest allegation that Muslim police and military officers do not perform their daily prayers.
Yet, the words allegedly uttered by three prominent individuals seem to be insignificant to warrant any form of questioning.
On June 10, former Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali made a damning allegation implicating lawyer Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram.
Apandi claimed that during a meeting in January 2018, Sri Ram mentioned having “arranged for the police to do what is necessary” and had also “arranged for a magistrate to issue a remand order” against former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Sri Ram responded to Apandi’s claims a month later, saying the meeting was in professional capacity.
Earlier this week, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad openly declared he will “use his power” to issue letters of support for those who vote for him in the Sept 27 Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia elections.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal, who is challenging Mohd Muzammil Ismail for youth wing Armada’s top post, told this to a group of supporters in a widely shared video.
He promised them letters of support in his capacity as a deputy minister and party youth chief which he would copy to the prime minister – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is Bersatu president.
Despite the police and the judiciary being implicated, there has not been a single word if Sri Ram – a former Federal Court judge and currently leading the prosecution team in the 1MDB audit tampering trial – will be asked to explain the allegations.
And despite implicating the Youth and Sports Ministry, Bersatu and more importantly, the prime minister, it remains to be seen if the authorities will investigate Wan Ahmad Fayhsal for abuse of power or if he will face the party whip.
In fact, Apandi too should be made to justify his claims.
Why is that so?
In Asri’s case, a number of arrests have been made but nothing has been done about the Apandi, Gopal Sri Ram and Wan Ahmad Fayhsal issues despite the wide publicity.
This is not coffeeshop talk. These are comments allegedly made by those in power. The deafening silence by the authorities is mind-boggling.
