Selangor state cabinet members Ronnie Liu and Ean Yong Hian Wah are fuming over an anonymous blog claiming that they were involved in siphoning state funds.

Today, the embattled duo went on the attack by questioning why the blog owner was attacking only DAP state representatives and not others.

NONE “Why are the DAP exco members singled out for these allegations? Is there a political ploy afoot to discredit the state government?” asked the duo in a joint statement today.

Selangor DAP has come under intense scrutiny, particularly after allegations surfaced that some DAP exco members had underworld links.

Currently, six out of five Selangor Pakatan Rakyat state reps being probed by the Selangor branch of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for alleged misappropriation of state funds are from DAP.

selangor state seat 2008 breakdown DAP holds 13 of the 36 Pakatan seats in the 56-seat state legislative assembly.

In the joint statement, Liu and Ean Yong again reiterated that they have been defamed by the ‘Truth for Teoh Beng Hock’ blog, which alleged that the late Teoh had proof of the duo’s corruption.

Teoh, an aide for Ean Yong, was found dead last week at the fifth floor landing of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam several hours after being questioned at the Selangor MACC on the 14th of the same building.

The statement said the disbursements of funds, amounting to RM500,000 annually for each Pakatan state constituency, were all above board, contrary to allegations in the blog.

No evidence of wroingdoings

The duo said the spotlight should rightfully be turned on how Barisan Nasional state reps depleted their 2008 allocations within the first two months of the year.

“(This includes) a case where an BN state assemblyperson spent RM220,000 in a day!” read the statement.

When Pakatan took over power in Selangor in March last year, it was discovered that the constituency funds had already been used up.

Liu and Ean Yong were accused by the anonymous blog of having a hand in Teoh’s death and were involved in corrupt practices, particularly with state funds meant for the MCA-held Sungai Pelek constituency.

The joint statement said the disbursement of funds since Pakatan took over the state government were back by receipts, invoices and photographic evidence depicting the recipients.

State funds for constituencies held by the opposition BN are disbursed by the excos.

ronnie liu charged in pj court 171108 01 In the case of Sungai Pelek, which comes under the Liu’s ( yellow tie ) purview, the details of fund disbursement were posted on Liu’s personal blog.

Additionally, the two excos said that these payments were usually approved by the assistant district officer on behalf of the district officer from the District and Land Office.

“This system has been in place for many years and was handed down from previous Barisan Nasional administrations,” read the statement.

The duo also stressed that ‘contractor’ who alleged received 84 projects worth more than RM200,000 was in fact Liu’s assistant and Sepang councillor Wong Chuan How.

“Some cheques were made out to him as he handled miscellaneous payments in connection with some projects and programmes.

“These payments are also documented and supported with receipts and vouchers, which may be inspected if necessary,” read the statement.

MB: If claims true, action to be taken

The duo also challenged the anonymous blogger to furnish proof that funding recipients did not receive the full amount due to them.

Immediately after learning of the blog’s existence, Liu and Ean Yong held a press conference yesterday to rebut the allegations and pointed out numerous discrepancies in the documents posted on the blog.

Tomorrow, Ean Yong will be lodging a police report against the said blog.

In another development, Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim has urged the blog owner to come forward and lodge an official complaint.

"If there is corruption, the public should not just publish these activities in blogs but must take the matter to authorities... I encourage their efforts, but sometimes, stories in blogs are not always 100 percent true," he was reported as saying by Bernama.

Khalid said his administration would be monitoring the said blog and would take action against wrongdoers if the allegations were found to be true.

“But now, we hope bloggers will not become agents for certain parties as they (bloggers) are considered a group who respect press freedom and justice to the community,” he said.