YOURSAY 'ICAC's mute reaction would not only damage its reputation but also that of Hong Kong as an international financial centre.'

RM40mil fiasco: Hong Kong's ICAC mum on probe

Starr: As a renowned international graft buster organisation, Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) cannot keep a deafening silence on such a matter of immense public concern as the S$16 million allegedly smuggled into Malaysia.

ICAC must not only investigate the carrying of such a huge amount of hard currency passing Hong Kong borders, but also how such a huge sum had been laundered through the territory's banking system given the illicit nature of such trades.

The continuing muted reaction from ICAC would not only damage its own highly acclaimed image and reputation but also that of Hong Kong as an international financial centre.

The latest revelation in the Malaysian parliament of there  being no corruption involved in the case has drawn widespread consternation from the Malaysian public as well as that of the wider international community.

More significantly, it has made ICAC an accomplice in the crime and put them in the same league as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), which it can well do without.

Swipenter: If ICAC can go after the Kwok brothers in Hong Kong, who is Sabah CM Musa Aman to them?

Are there are other reasons for them to keep silent on this issue for the time being?

One could not imagine that ICAC, and Hong Kong as an international financial hub, would be so foolhardy as to want to take the risk and jeopardise its reputation for Musa and Umno.

This is not just a Malaysian issue, the international financial community must be tracking the progress and outcome of the ICAC investigation.

Maybe bigger things are on the way. The Swiss bank UBS probe into alleged money laundering operations by Musa and gang from Switzerland to Hong Kong could be one reason for their silence.

Anonymous_3da0: As things stand, ICAC will only divulge if there is court action in Malaysia regarding that money. They will also share information, but only with authorities such as MACC and the police.

Since MACC and the AG (attorney-general) are out to protect Umno, ICAC will not divulge any details on this case.

That is why Umno MP Abdul Rahman Dahlan dares to spin the issue. The fact is they were never cleared by the ICAC, not by a long shot.

SIC It: ICAC had interrogated Musa and he was cleared by the Hong Kong graft busters, said Sabah Umno secretary Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

But ICAC told Malaysiakini and Bruno Manser Fund (BMF) that "we would not comment on individual cases" and "refused to provide information on the status of its investigations against Musa."

How then would Abdul Rahman know Musa was cleared by ICAC?

Asamko: We should view it as a sign that ICAC does not want to unnecessarily kick up a diplomatic row between Malaysia and Hong Kong.

It's now up to our MACC - it must reveal the details of their own probe into this case to prove their credibility.

The Mask: ICAC, can you just confirm one issue? Was Chia caught with S$16 million in cash? Is that too much to ask, or are you totally bought over?

Your reputation as a highly acclaimed graft buster is on shaky ground if you dare not even make a stand.

Onyourtoes: You know what; this case is like a woman who was caught naked in bed with another a man by her husband but she insisted that nothing had happened and the situation was not as he suspected.

Does it matter the money is in hard cash or wired? Does it matter whether timber businessman Michael Chia was arrested or not? Does it matter the money is for Umno or its leaders?

Who would want to give Umno so much money if not for what the Umno-controlled government can do for the donor? Are we saying a political party is incapable of corruption?

Are we saying that if Chia was not formally arrested, there was no offence committed?

Are we saying if no hard cash is found, the wired money floating around from one dubious account to another is perfectly okay?

BTN: The problem we faced with corruption is actually our own doing.

We accept without question the right of this people in power swindling our country and making a mockery of us all.

Antibody: Corruption is worldwide phenomenon, so said the Namibian president in Al-Jazeera.

If people shut their mouths on certain matters, it can mean one of two things - they do not know about the matter, or their mouths have been shoved with gold coins and therefore the mouth must remain closed or else the coins will drop out.

Bank Negara urged to probe RM40mil 'donation'

Kelate: ICAC had released the S$16 million. Has that money come into Malaysia? If the money has already come into Malaysia, then the reputation of BNM (Bank Negara Malaysia) is already in the drain if they had not witheld it, pending an investigation on possible money laundering.

Kanasai: A number of things do not seem right.

1. If Chia is not arrested, how did ICAC know about the S$16 million?

2. Why the map on the money trial? According to report, it was released by ICAC. Where did the map come from?

3. Why did Musa deny ever knowing Chia and why was Sabah Umno never mentioned before?

4. When the S$16 million arrived on Malaysia soil? I don't remember reading about this. Unless BN comes clean, this devil will not easily go away.

Ksn: PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli, there is no need for you to urge BNM to carry out a probe.

It is their duty as the central bank to investigate the matter until it is cleared to the satisfaction of the public. But will it?

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