A pro-Umno portal has questioned the rationale behind Rafizi Ramli’s decision to submit evidence on claims of cash and women involving the Selangor state government to PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail instead of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“Why must the evidence be submitted to the president first?

“So is (it considered that) no offence (was) committed if the party president says the wrongdoing need not be reported (to MACC)?” asked MyKMU.net.

Demanding an explanation, the portal said the president of a political party should not have the final say on whether matters involving corruption should be reported or otherwise.

“Especially if those accused are from the state government - not all the people in the state are members of the party...” it added.

Furthermore, MyKMU said PKR should know better since it is a party full of lawyers.

The portal also expressed concern should Wan Azizah decide against lodging a report with MACC with regard to cooperation being extended to the commission should it decide to investigate the claim.

“How would investigations be completed if no cooperation is given?” it asked.

Based on this, the portal believes that the allegation is aimed at deflecting attention from some other issue.

Though confident that the allegation is true, MyKMU however questioned the motive in revealing the matter now.

Rafizi, who is PKR secretary-general, is expected to e-mail the evidence to Wan Azizah  before deciding on whether a report should be filed with MACC.

The issue first came to light when a WhatsApp conversation was leaked, in which Rafizi claimed to have received a complaint about money and women being sought for negotiations with the Selangor government.

Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali, however, dismissed the claims as part of a “systematic smear campaign”.