Abdul Nazri Aziz should respond to India’s complaints of lacking cooperation from Malaysia in the latter’s Maxis-Aircel probe, as the law minister has claimed the government works closely with foreign countries.

NONE Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo ( left ) said this in response to Nazri’s claim that the Malaysian-Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) works closely with foreign countries on cross border corruption matters.

"Perhaps the minister should then respond to the recent complaints made by the Indian Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) that they too were facing difficulty in obtaining assistance from Malaysia in an ongoing investigation in India involving a Malaysian company and individuals linked to the said company, which may compel investigations to be closed owing to a lack of evidence.

“It will not be to our advantage to send the wrong signal out internationally being silent on an issue as grave and pressing as this,” said Gobind in a statement last night.

According to Indian media reports, India’s Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) has alleged that a “politically and economically powerful” Malaysian has been stalling its investigation on local telco Maxis’ controversial acquisition of an Indian mobile network operator.

NONE Nazri (right) on Wednesday denied that Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) had closed the case on the RM40 million “political donation” that was allegedly to be smuggled into Malaysia, due to non-cooperation by Malaysian authorities.

The Indian probe would similarly be closed if Malaysia does not provide the information CBI needs to proceed, reminded Gobind.

“According to Indian newspaper reports, the CBI told the court that it has completed the domestic investigations into the deal but the overseas probe was being delayed due to the influence of the firm’s owner in Malaysia, who is ‘powerful politically’.

'No response by our government'

“Despite such reports of and concerning our country and its handling of such affairs internationally, there has been no response by our government to date.

“I call upon Nazri to openly respond to the allegations made above, the full details of which are contained in the said report,” he said.

According to the news reports, the Indian law enforcement agency has already completed its enquiries in India and Mauritius but requires the Malaysian line of probe as it is crucial to prove the “quid pro quo involved” in Maxis’ investment in the Sun Network.

Gobind said, “This is not about the guilt or otherwise of the company and the personalities involved. The law should be allowed to take its course. If they have done no wrong, they should be cleared.”

“It is more about how Malaysia conducts itself and projects its image to the international world in its battle against corruption not just domestically but globally as well.”

Former Indian communications and tnformation technology minister Dayanidhi Maran, Maxis, Aircel and several others are being investigated for alleged abuse of power and quid pro quo in granting mobile service licences to Aircel.

The original owner of Aircel, C Sivasankaran, has alleged in a statement that Maran delayed granting licences to Aircel and that he was “forced” to sell Aircel to Maxis, owned by Malaysian tycoon Ananda Krishnan.

Related stories

PKR team to bring files of 'transactional evidence' to HK

High Court dismisses Rafizi's striking-out bid