Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister M Kayveas has handed over documents to the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to back his allegation that an Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) official was involved in corrupt practices.

He had named enforcement chief Kapt (B) Abdul Kudus Ahmad as having allegedly accepted bribes averaging RM70,000 a month to protect businessmen and to tip off 'tontos' about the council's impending raids, according to recent Malay Mail reports.

Kayveas, when contacted, said four ACA officers had collected the information from him at his office about 2pm today.

Abdul Kudus could not be contacted for comments today, but a Bernama report said he had been suspended for a month with effect from tomorrow, pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing by the MPAJ.

Names of witnesses

Kayveas said he had also given the ACA team a list of six names of witnesses, four from the council and two from the public.

"I was not asked to do anything. They came to collect material for the investigation," he said.

"I am the middle person, merely passing on the complaints. I am not the complainant here. I am expecting to receive more complaints and police reports on this issue."

He said at least five police reports have been lodged so far.

"One was lodged early this morning by a key witness who claimed he was seriously threatened by the enforcement chief," said Kayveas.

Bernama

today quoted Selangor Mentri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo saying the three-member disciplinary panel would be headed by MPAJ legal affairs director Johari Atli.

"We expect the inquiry to be completed in two weeks, after which MPAJ will submit the report to the state government through the state secretary. A copy will be extended to the Deputy Prime Minister (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi)," Khir told reporters after chairing the Selangor Economic Action Meeting today.

He also said MPAJ was prevented by its rules from involving external parties in the inquiry process, which will also consider allegations that Abdul Kudus is a declared bankrupt.

Cabinet meeting

Meanwwhile, Kayveas also said he had spoken to de facto law minister Dr Rais Yatim today following the latter's call for the ACA to act on the complaint.

"(Rais) told me that he would raise the matter at tomorrow's cabinet meeting," Kayveas said.

The New Straits Times today quoted Rais as urging MPAJ to investigate the allegations and as saying that MPAJ president Ahmad Kabit did not have to wait for an official report before taking any action.

The Malay Mail

today said all senior MPAJ officials have been ordered not to comment on the allegations, which surfaced last week.

Following hints dropped by Kayveas, Abdul Kudus had challenged the deputy minister to reveal the name of the official involved - which he did, two days ago.