By Joseph Tawie
Sarawak opposition believes that Taib Mahmud must
clear his name in view of the latest German investigation into his
family-linked business dealings.
KUCHING: The Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) must release immediately details of its
investigation into Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s alleged abuse of power and
corruption.
The call
comes on the heels of reports that the German Federal Financial Supervisory
Authority (BaFin) has launched investigations into Deutsche Bank on account of
its business relations with Taib’s family.
Calling for
an update on the MACC probe, Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian asked: “What has
happened to the investigation? We want to know the status of the
investigations…”
“This is
very important in view of the latest allegation against the chief minister of
money laundering.”
Following
several MACC reports lodged against Taib by PKR leaders and others, the MACC
announced that it was investigating all reports made against Taib.
The
announcement, made on April 3, 2011 and before the state election, was
apparently aimed at “appeasing” voters after opposition began flogging the
issue.
But little
has been heard from MACC since despite demands by the opposition.
“We are
concerned with the results of the investigations. The MACC must be serious
about it.
“I hope the
MACC will not wait until the next general election to make another
announcement. Such an announcement will smell of a political agenda of the
commission,” he added.
Freeze Taib’s assets
Welcoming
BaFin’s move, Baru also urged other countries to follow suit and pursue their
investigations very aggressively and seriously.
The
countries he referred to include the US, Canada, Britain and Australia where
Taib and his family have properties worth several billions of ringgit.
The Bruno
Manser Fund (BMF), which has been in the forefront against Taib and his family
for abuse of power, corruption and money laundering, comfirmed the BaFin report
and urged the German authorities to freeze Taib’s assets in Germany.
Since 2004,
Deutsche Bank has processed transactions worth several hundred million of euros
for the Sarawak government and is engaged in a joint venture in Malaysia with
the Cahaya Mata Sarawak Company (CMS) which is controlled by the Taib family.
CMS and
Deutsche Bank are the principal shareholders of the finance company K & N
Kenanga Holdings based in Kuala Lumpur with its subsidiary Kenanga Deutsche
Futures, an accredited broker at the Malaysian stock exchange.
Speed up probe
Meanwhile,
state vice-chairman See Chee How, who was also present, called on Taib to clear
his name.
“If the
allegations are not true, he can sue those concerned… this is a serious issue.
The allegations made are against the leader of the state government.
“We are all
concerned… we want the MACC to speed up its investigations,” said See, who is
the Batu Lintang state assemblyman.
During the
last sitting of the State Legislative Assembly, Taib declared that the
allegations against him were not true.
A bid by
the opposition to debate Taib’s denial was dismissed.
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Source : FMT
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