A high-level panel of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) wants the allegations of sand theft syndicates in Selangor to be “reanalysed”.

The Operations Review Panel (PPO) suggested today that the MACC’s legal division look into the case involving Sri Muda state assemblyperson Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei and Batu Caves state assemblyperson Amirudin Shari “as there issues that needs to be addressed”.

The panel’s recommendation contradicts MACC’s statement on Feb 10 that the files have been marked “no further action” by the Attorney-General’s (AG) Chambers.

Previously, MACC had said that it had completed its probe and submitted the relevant papers to the AG, following which the AG had suggested that no further action be taken on the case.

NONE However, PPO chief Hadenan Abdul Aziz ( left ) stressed that the MACC must submit the case to the review panel before it is closed, which it has yet to do.

“It has been an ongoing case... (blogger) RPK (Raja Petra Kamarudin) made it lively again,” he said.

“The people think the case is closed. The case is still alive it has not been tabled to us (to be closed),” Hadenan told reporters at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy.

Self-exiled blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin had dug out the issue again early this month, accusing Amirudin and Shuhaimi of sand mining corruption involving a company called Double Dignity (M) Sdn Bhd.

Raja Petra said the duo were directors of the company and had received a monthly allowance of RM5,000, among others.

He also posted a copy of a letter from Amirudin to Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB) - the Selangor government company which handles sand mining in the state - to support Double Dignity’s application for a sand-mining contract.

Raja Petra also accused Shuhaimi of having asked an unidentified individual for RM50,000 to set up Double Dignity, to ensure a sand mining contract.

Amiruddin and Shuhaimi, however, have denied the claims, adding that the MACC has not called them up for interrogations pertaining to the probe since 2010.

“If the AG’s Chambers decide to close the case, it has to be tabled to us but the case has not been tabled to us, that’s for sure.

“So whoever passed the statement, (may have been) misquoted,” Hadenan said.

Hadenan added that the case has to be looked at again as it has resulted in RM600 million in losses to the state government. 

According to him, 43 people have been arrested in relation to the matter, 30 of whom were civil servants and enforcement officers.

The bribes involved in the cases ranged from RM500 to RM88,000, said Hadenan.

Case against Ariff Fahmi to be closed

On a related matter, Hadenan also announced that the panel has recommended for the matter concerning Perbadanan Menteri Besar Kelantan chief executive officer Ariff Fahmi Abdul Rahman over alleged financial irregularities, to be closed.

Ariff Fahmi, who is the son-in-law of Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, was accused of abusing the state investment arm’s funds for to pay for his wife’s flight tickets to Kuala Lumpur, among others.

“The PPO recommended that it be closed because there is not enough evidence to prove the allegations,” said Hadenan.

He gave a reminder that this could have been avoided right at the beginning if the state’s financial procedure were well-organised.

“PPO would like to advise all state (governments) to use a proper procedure, one that is transparent and prudent to avoid this kind of problems in the future,” said Hadenan.