Yeoh finally breaks silence, welcomes probe over Asia Mobiliti

Youth and Sport Minister Hannah Yeoh has welcomed MACC’s probe into the Selangor Demand Responsive Transit (DRT) project that involved her husband, Ramachandran Muniandy, as co-founder of Asia Mobility Technologies Sdn Bhd (Asia Mobiliti).

Asia Mobiliti was appointed by the Selangor government as one of two companies to run the bus-on-demand trial pilot project for nine months.

“Now that the probe has started, I want to see truth and vindication come out of this investigation.

“Malaysia deserves nothing less,” she said in an Instagram post this afternoon.

Yeoh’s husband Ramachandran is Asia Mobiliti’s owner and CEO.

Another Asia Mobiliti co-founder, Premesh Chandran, is director and former CEO of Malaysiakini.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | Selangor DRT project - a look at who is involved and more

Yeoh explained today that it would not be appropriate for her to comment on the matter as it may be construed as an interference with ongoing investigations.

“In fact, it was for this reason, I had not said anything sooner as in my view, the best way forward in dealing with such claims is to leave it to the relevant authorities to investigate them,” she added.

She also thanked those who reached out to her in solidarity.

On May 29, Selangor Investment, Trade and Mobility Committee chairperson Ng Sze Han said Asia Mobiliti’s involvement in the proof of concept (POC) for the demand-responsive transit (DRT) pilot project was through a request for proposal (RFP), and not direct negotiation as alleged.

Ng also said the claim that Asia Mobiliti was the only company selected is untrue, as Badanbas Coach Sdn Bhd was also given the opportunity to implement the POC and another company’s application is being considered for the next phase.

“Earlier this month, the state government received a proposal from Kumpool Sdn Bhd expressing its interest in participating in the POC process. The company has also received approval from the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) to join.

“The state government is confident that the RFP evaluation process and decisions involving these companies are conducted prudently and based on solid criteria, adhering to existing legal requirements and guidelines,” Bernama reported him as saying.

Subsequently, on May 30, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said he was open to revealing documents or meeting minutes from the authorities on the matter.

Critics unimpressed

However, not all were impressed with the state government’s statements, with the United for the Rights of Malaysians Party (Urimai) urging the former to rescind appointments of all selected and call for an open tender process.

Former minister Khairy Jamaluddin also chipped in on the matter and said the issue had tarnished Yeoh’s “moral standing”.

“One of the (Pakatan) Harapan leaders who tried to show that she was sanctimonious and morally superior, was actually Yeoh.

“While she had vehemently criticised crony capitalism in the previous BN administration, recent events suggest that she is now facing similar accusations herself,” he said.

Pua chides ‘sheriffs on high horse' comparing Yeoh case to NFC

Report: MACC probes case involving minister’s spouse

Yeoh sidesteps questions over Asia Mobiliti controversy

Asia Mobiliti issue tarnished Yeoh's 'moral ground' - Khairy

KINIGUIDE | Selangor DRT project - a look at who is involved and more