Asia Mobiliti: It’s the perception of ‘undue influence’, says ex-Umno leader

Former Umno supreme council member Isham Jalil urged the government not to take the issue of Asia Mobility Technologies Sdn Bhd (Asia Mobiliti) lightly as it may create a negative perception among the public.

“Under the law, there is a phrase called ‘undue influence’.

“Though the minister may not be involved in the tender process, it may create a negative perception of the government,” he said in a statement.

Isham was referring to Asia Mobiliti being awarded a contract by the Selangor government. Questions were raised because the company’s CEO is Ramachandran Muniandy, the husband of Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.

Last Friday (May 24), Selangor state executive councillor Ng Sze Han said two companies - including Asia Mobiliti - were selected for a demand-responsive transit (DRT) project and were chosen after a thorough process.

“Both companies received approvals from the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) and relevant federal regulators,” Ng was reported as saying.

He also said Apad approved Asia Mobiliti’s proof of concept on Dec 22, 2022. The other company, Badan Bas Coach Sdn Bhd received the approval on Feb 24, 2023.

Yesterday, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki defended his response to the project, which had courted criticism.

He said he was clearing the air as an investigation revealed that no offence was committed.

“Whenever I think there is no case (to pursue) after we have done some interim report, it is time for me to be clear about it, because the party involved has been affected so much by the news and all that,” he said at a briefing in Putrajaya.

Perception matters

Meanwhile, Isham said if the government is seen as practising cronyism and nepotism, people would be sceptical about paying taxes as the money would be seen as going into the pockets of those connected to the administration.

“Even investors will flee. That’s why the government must be seen as whiter than white.

“This is especially so when the present leaders are the ones who promised to eradicate cronyism, nepotism, and corruption.

“It will look like they changed after attaining power. Perhaps they were like that from the beginning but lied their way to power,” he jibed.

Meanwhile, Bersatu information chief Razali Idris said Azam cannot dismiss the issue by just saying it was done by the book.

“It seems the MACC chief commissioner is so defensive about Selangor’s DRT project awarded to a company belonging to the youth and sports minister’s husband.

“He keeps saying it was done by the book but what about the morality of it? Wouldn’t such a thing lead to corruption?” he asked in a statement.

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