The Pakatan Rakyat has hit out at corruption allegations against one of its leaders who is accused of misusing public funds to maintain his luxury car and to buy cattle for a Muslim feast.

khalid ibrahim and sprm macc Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim was investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) after complaints were filed by a ruling party leader.

The MACC was quoted in weekend reports as saying it had found "good and strong" evidence against Khalid and would recommend that he face prosecution.

"We have completed investigations and we are satisfied that there are elements of abuse of power on the part of the Selangor MB," MACC chief Ahmad Said Hamdan said.

Khalid is accused of spending taxpayers' money to buy 46 cows that were slaughtered and distributed in his constituency during the Hari Raya Korban festival last December.

He was also reportedly accused of using funds belonging to state-owned firms to buy a Lexus SUV worth nearly RM1 million, and maintaining it at government expense.

Khalid has denied all the charges.

MACC's findings under fire

His lawyer Sankara Nair dismissed the MACC's findings, which he said were "unjustified and appeared to be motivated by political consideration".

sankara nair bukit aman teresea kok isa arrest pc 170908 02 "The cattle purchase was never ordered by Khalid personally," Sankara ( left ) told AFP on Sunday.

"The Lexus is his own personal car which he was using even before he became the menteri besar, while the maintenance expenses for official purposes were all approved by the state," he added.

The MACC's findings came under fire from opposition politicians who questioned the commission's motives in revealing details of the probe even before the attorney-general decides whether there is a case against Khalid.

"The law is clear. It states that a person is innocent until he is proven guilty," said DAP leader Karpal Singh.

The broadside against Khalid is the latest political drama in Malaysia in recent weeks, after the Barisan Nasional coalition seized control of Perak, one of the opposition states.

- AFP