UPDATED 8.00PM Kapar parliamentarian S Manikavasagam has confirmed that he is not attending the Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) public hearing tomorrow on the illegal sand mining allegations involving state-owned Kuala Semesta Sdn Bhd.

Selcat had summoned the Kapar MP to appear at the inquiry, over his claims of the sand mining scandal.

NONE Manikavasagam ( right ) cited a letter he had received from the  Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) as one of the reasons for not being able to testify at the hearing.

The letter dated May 12 stated that under section 29(4) of the MACC Act 2009:

“Any complaints made to the commission must be kept confidential and cannot be revealed to anyone other than the commission’s staff or the attorney general, until such time as the investigations have been concluded and charges filed in open court.”

Manikavasagam says the MACC had summoned him on the same case, and was bound by its regulations that prohibit discussing cases under investigation.

The Kapar MP told Malaysiakini this evening, "I have discussed with my lawyers whether I should go or not. I have been summoned by the MACC, so I won't be able to speak on the matter publicly," he said.

            

"Even if I attend, I can only comment on the new cases I revealed yesterday. I won't be able to say much about the previous cases as Selcat's proceedings are a public hearing."

However Manikavasagam said that he will continue to assist the witnesses who have come to him to submit their depositions to the select committee, so that they can be summoned to testify if needed.

“I shall assist in the new cases as I am not bound by the MACC directive with them,” he said.

Selcat tight-lipped

Meanwhile Selcat chairperson Teng Chang Khim has declined comment on Manikavasagam’s absence at the hearing tomorrow and whether they will take action.

"The hearing will carry on tomorrow. All of our seven members (of the) panel will attend," said Teng, who is also state speaker.

NONE Teng also refused to comment on the witnesses who will be summoned for the public hearing tomorrow, and whether it will include the contractor Zahar Rusili ( right ), the witness unveiled by Manikavasagam yesterday.

The Selangor speaker was however unhappy that the media, during the press conference organised by Selcat, focused on Manikavasagam’s revelations rather than on the select committee.

He said this was the reason for his refusal to comment on Malaysiakini ’s questions.

"All I have to say, I have said in the press conference, but all (that) you (media) wrote was about Manikavasagam’s story," he said.