The two Perak executive committee (exco) members who have been charged for corruption should be suspended if the state’s general orders require it, said Transparency International Malaysian chapter president Ramon Navaratnam.

“If the regulations say that those who have been charged must be suspended, then it should be followed to a tee. Transparency cannot be compromised,” said Navaratnam, when contacted by Malaysiakini today.

transparency international election workshop 240108 ramon navaratnam Navaratnam (left) , formerly the Transport Ministry secretary-general, said each state had its own general orders to govern excos' conduct, including the spelling out of disciplinary actions.

On Aug 26, the two Perak exco members Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi and Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu were charged for accepting bribes along with three others.

The five were jointly charged in relations to a RM180 million housing project spanning 36ha in Seri Iskandar, some 30-minutes south of Ipoh.

Perak Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin has claimed the charges against his two exco members were part of a political conspiracy and that the housing project did not exist.

‘Political inertia’

Asked to comment on the matter, Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin said Nizar’s “political inertia” to suspend the duo showed that Pakatan Rakyat did not follow its claim of practising good governance, upholding accountability and a clean administration

"Although the two excos are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, a cloud of doubt and a taint of scandal now surrounds the state government which can only be lifted by asking the two excos to take leave from their executive positions while clearing their names in court.

In fact, this has been the standard practice of Barisan in demonstrating good governance. For example, (former Land and Cooperatives Development Minister ) Kasitah Gaddam was asked to leave the Cabinet when charged with corruption in 2004,” said Khairy in an email statement.

nizar jamaluddin 100 days interview 180608 11 Khairy said Nizar (pic) ’s failure to suspend the duo was either due to a lack of commitment towards good governance and accountability, or due to fear that Pakatan Perak would collapse.

“After all, the menteri besar represents the smallest party in the Perak assembly and probably does not want to risk offending a bigger coalition partner even at the expense of doing the right thing.

This is an indictment of not just the Perak state government but the entire leadership of Pakatan Rakyat which has failed to live up to its own promises,” he added.

Khairy also urged the public to support “an emboldened ACA” in discharging their duties which is part of the reforms promised by the current Barisan federal administration.

What is Pakatan's stand?

Perak Puteri Umno chief Dr Wan Norashikin Wan Noordin challenged the Pakatan to state their stand on public office-holders who have been charged in court for corruption.

Wan Norashikin, who is also Kampung Gajah state assemblywoman, condemned Nizar’s decision not to suspend the duo.

She said whenever Barisan Nasional members in government faced corruption charges, opposition parties - particularly DAP - would be among the first to call for their suspension.

"In the case of Kasitah Gadam, the DAP had no issues with him discontinuing his duties when there were court charges to deal with.

When Zulkifli Redzuan, an Ipoh City Council department head, was charged three years ago did Lim Kit Siang not protest his continuance of duties?" Wan Norashikin was reported as saying in the NST yesterday.