PKR's director of strategy will rope in Hong Kong’s help to force the Malaysian government to respond to Mat Zain Ibrahim's allegations of government corruption over the Batu Puteh issue.

Speaking as Pandan MP and executive director of the National Oversight and Whistleblowers Centre (Now Centre), Rafizi Ramli said today that he plans to file a report to HK MPs and its Justice Department seeking help to trace evidence of misappropriation, as claimed by a recent statutory declaration (SD) made by the former Kuala Lumpur CID chief.

Rafizi said this was because he believed that Mat Zain’s SD, which surfaced two to three weeks ago, has so far evaded the warranted national attention.

“This is testimony by a man whose track record shows that he doesn’t have friends or foes on either side of the political divide,” Rafizi, the MP for Pandan, told reporters at the PKR headquarters today.

“It’s a pity if we don’t at least try to pursue it further.”

NONERafizi said that they hope to uncover a few more details regarding Mat Zain’s allegation that money changed hands among government officials, causing Malaysia to lose the fight for Pulau Batu Puteh to Singapore, in the case before the International Court of Justice in 2008. The case was led by attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail (right).

Rafizi quoted from Mat Zain’s SD which alleged that “unbelievable amounts” of monies were transferred into an account in Hong Kong to affect the case’s outcome.

“We have had fruitful discussions with the HK Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and they have been more than willing to assist because the reputation of Hong Kong as a financial centre is important to them.”

Report heading to Hong Kong

Rafizi said that in a few days time, the report would be forwarded to Hong Kong Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen, Public Prosecutor Keith Yeung and Hong Kong parliamentarian James To.

"I believe that if investigations are kick-started in Hong Kong, then the Malaysian government would have to respond with appropriate action, including possible suspension of AG Patail," he said.

Mat Zain's controversial SD has so far drawn fire from senior lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who has challenged Mat Zain's credibility.

NONEAt first brushed aside by Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, it has now also prompted action from Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar (left) who said today he would call Mat Zain in for questioning.

This came after Mat Zain made a police report last week against Shafee for making a false statement in his affidavit. In that court affidavit also filed last week, Shafee had denied Mat Zain's SD, particularly the part about him making allegations of misconduct against AG Patail over the Batu Puteh issue. He called Mat Zain "an angry man."

Rafizi said that based on past experiences, it was difficult to uncover graft through raking through overseas bank accounts as the authorities would probably have to dig through a web of accounts which may not directly be linked to the accused parties.

He however lauded Mat Zain for making a "bold move" on a serious allegation and reiterated that PKR backed him simply because it was the right thing to do.

"I know it's quite risky, it's full of holes for people to start suing and so not many people will take it up," Rafizi said. "We hope to at least give the Hong Kong authorities some pointers."