The Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department deputy chief, Mohd Ali Tambi Chik (photo, below) has been slapped with six show-cause letter from his superiors following his allegation of corruption and abuse of power against the department's director general.

Malaysiakini learnt that two letters each were issued to Mohd Ali by the department's deputy director-generals Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim (management) and Hamzah Abu Bakar (operations). Two other letters were believed to be issued by his former immediate boss, Leonard Athanasius who retired last month.

Mohd Ali has caused a stir in the department since September after lodging a report to the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), accusing the department's director-general Jaafar Sidek Tambi of corruption and abuse of power when organising lavish wedding parties for his son at Stadium Juara and the Renaissance Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

It is also learnt that one of the letters requested for his explanation on why he had been abusive to his fellow officers at the department's Kuala Lumpur headquarters while organising a 'media conference' which were attended by Malaysiakini, Berita Harian, Harakah and Berita Keadilan reporters.

Explanations demanded

The letter also stated that Mohd Ali had threatened to 'physically harm' his officers during the three-hour meeting which ended abruptly when Leonard interfered, bringing along several policemen with him.

Another letter also demanded his explanation for allegedly trying to physically harm an officer during the Kuala Lumpur Sentral fire last month which claimed two lives. It is believed that Mohd Ali, the most senior officer present at the scene, was not satisfied with the operation carried out by his officer who also refused to take his command.

However, Malaysiakini was not clear about the content of four other letter which were also believed to be issued last month.

When contacted today, Mohd Ali confirmed that he has been issued the show-cause letters from his superiors, but declined to reveal their content.

"I will not answer them anyway because those who accused me did not know what they were accusing me of in the first place. They should get their facts right," he said.

Mohd Ali was also not promoted as the KL fire chief when Leonard retired last month. The post was filled by a former Johor director.

Without fear or favour

Meanwhile, malaysiakini understands that the ACA is still investigating the report lodged by Mohd Ali. So far, some 60 department staff have been summoned to the ACA headquarters, but key man Jaafar has yet to be called.

"I hope the investigation will be carried out without fear or favour," said Mohd Ali.

The alleged corruption in the Fire and Rescue Department was first brought up in parliament by opposition MP Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena). However, the allegations were later denied by Housing and Local Governments Minister Ong Ka Ting.

Mahfuz claimed that Jaafar had abused his position as the department's chief to make use of department's time, personnel and facilities for his son's wedding preparation.

The MP also brought photographs and the department's minutes of meetings to parliament to substantiate his claims.