Utusan Malaysia - Mengapa Senyap dengan demo Kepala Lembu???? - Malaysiakini

Aug 29, 2009

Opposition stalwart Lim Kit Siang is asking why the Umno-owned Malay daily Utusan Malaysia is silent on yesterday's controversial 'cow head' protest.

"If such an ultimate act of religious insensitivity, insult and offence had been committed against Islam, Utusan Malaysia would have gone to town.


"Not only with full front-page coverage and denunciation, probably half the newspaper today would be devoted to it. Why the thundering silence?" he said in a statement.

In the past, Utusan Malaysia has come under fire numerous times for carrying articles with a racial slant.

The protest in Shah Alam yesterday was carried out by residents of Section 23 who were upset over the proposal to relocate a Hindu temple to their area.

Meanwhile, Lim said all patriotic Malaysians of goodwill and reason must condemn in the strongest possible terms the cow head sacrilege.

"In other multi-religious societies, such an ultimate act of religious insensitivity, insult and offence to one of the major religions in the country would have led to mayhem, riots and loss of lives.

"This bespeaks of the high degree of maturity, mutual tolerance, goodwill and co-existence that cool heads had prevailed in the response to such a deplorable act of sacrilege," he added.

Lim said in a multi-religious society, the act of sacrilege to one religion must be regarded as an act of sacrilege to all other religions and the entire nation.

He added that the incident should serve as an overarching consensus of all political parties, mass media, NGOs and Malaysians if we cherish and love this nation.

Police rapped for slow response

The DAP leader also commended Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for his quick response in ordering the Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan to take swift action against those responsible.

"But why was the police so slow in its response to such a public act of religious sacrilege, when tardiness in dealing with 'national security threats' had never been a weakness of the Royal Malaysian Police Force?

"Police intelligence cannot be so obsolete that it is not aware of the act of sacrilege being planned and executed, when the organisers had taken pains to ensure that their protest would get the maximum mass media coverage – reported, photographed and videoed," he said.

With two days to go before Aug 31, Lim said: "The sacrilege must serve as an ominous warning that Najib's first national day celebration as prime minister will go down as a 'Black National Day' if the genie of racism and religious chicanery are allowed to get out of the bottle."

"In plural Malaysia there is not just one genie but many genies threatening to tear apart the multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-lingual and multi-cultural fabric of Malaysia," he added.

Temple demo: Residents march with cow's head - Malaysiakini

By Andrew Ong Aug 28, 09 3:52pm

Some 50 residents enraged with the proposed relocation of a Hindu temple to their area staged a noisy protest with a severed cow's head this afternoon.

The residents - from Section 23 in Shah Alam - who gathered after the Friday prayers, placed the head outside the gates of the state secretariat building for a short period before removing it.

"Where is Xavier? This head is for him," shouted one of the protesters in reference to Selangor executive councillor Dr Xavier Jeyakumar.

Jeyakumar is one of those in charge of non-Muslim affairs in the state.

Earlier, the protesters had marched some 300m from the state mosque to the state secretariat building.

The protesters also condemned Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, exco member Rodziah Ismail (as the area falls under her state constituency) and Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad.

Before dispersing, several protesters spat and stomped on the cow's head. The cow is considered sacred among Hindus.


Addressing the crowd, Section 23 action committee deputy chair Ibrahim Sabri said: "If there is blood, you (the state government) will be responsible if you are adamant about building the temple."

"This is a warning. Relocate the temple to Section 22. This cow is a present to the state government. This is a gift from us," he added.

The protesters also carried several banners which among others read 'Take Beer' (mocking PAS' rallying cry of 'Takbir') and 'Illegal temples are very small, but once relocated, they are as big as Putrajaya'.

The crowd gathered for about 15 minutes at the main entrance of the state secretariat building under the watch of more than a dozen police personnel.

'We'll not budge an inch'

Speaking to reporters later, Action Committee chair Mahyuddin Manaf warned that the state government must give in or the residents would retaliate.

"We will not budge one inch, even if lives are lost or blood is made to flow. We will still defend Section 23 from having a temple built there," he said.

He added that a protest memorandum was forwarded to the state government two months ago but there has been no response.

Contacted later, Mahyuddin distanced his organisation from the act of bringing the cow head to the protest.

"It is not our intention. We were surprised," he said, denying that the act was intended to insult Hindus.

He said that the cow head was likely brought by angry residents.

"Maybe, they meant it (as a symbol of) stupidity. In Malay culture, the cow is a symbol of stupidity, or leaders that are stupid," he said.

On Aug 11, the state government announced that the relocation of the temple from Section 19 to Section 23 was final and will be situated 200m from the nearest house and 400m from a surau.

The temple will face an industrial lot and will be separated from the houses by a playground and a multi-purpose hall.

However, some residents felt that it was not appropriate to build a temple in a Muslim-majority area.

The Pakatan Rakyat state government accused rivals Umno of instigating the crowd to protest the relocation.

Jeyakumar to lodge police report

In an immediate reaction, a furious Jeyakumar described the protest as "unwarranted, unacceptable and without sensitivity towards other religions."

He also said that he will lodge a police report on the matter soon.

"These people should have ethics. They are inciting racial and religious hatred. I am going to lodge a police report against these people," he told Malaysiakini.

He also expressed disappointment towards the police personnel at the scene for not taking any action against the protesters.

"The police didn't stop anybody. The police should have arrested them and charged them for inciting hatred," he said, adding that he could tolerate with "ethical" demonstrations.

Jeyakumar is slated to meet Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar and other police officers over the matter tomorrow.

Ean Yong denies kickback claims - Malaysiakini

Andrew Ong Aug 26, 09 6:43pm

Selangor exco member Ean Yong Hian Wah has strongly denied allegations that his deceased aide, Teoh Beng Hock, was involved in any kickback scams as claimed by a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer today.

He said claims of taking commissions from several companies were false and funds received by those implicated - Teoh, DAP national headquarters, Serdang Aman and Sungai Long party branches - were legitimate.

"We have all the receipts to prove it," Ean Yong told reporters today at the State Secretariat building in Shah Alam.

Ean Yong said he was unable to furnish proof at this juncture because he was at Teoh's inquest this morning. However, he has promised to hold another press conference soon to clear the air.

Ean Yong was responding to MACC officer Mohd Anuar Ismail's allegations (mentioned this morning at the inquest) that the four parties had received commissions from certain companies.

The testimony was later expunged from the records by Magistrate Azmil Muntapha Abas, who is acting as coroner in the inquest, on grounds that the evidence was beyond the scope of the proceedings.

Reimbursements, not kickbacks

Questioned by MACC's counsel Abdul Razak Musa, Mohd Anuar detailed his findings based on his investigations on allegations that Selangor state reps had misappropriated state allocations for each state constituency.

Mohd Anuar who interrogated Teoh until 3.45 in the morning claimed that the deceased and his party DAP had been pocketing commissions from several companies that were granted small state projects.

Giving an example, Mohd Anuar claimed there were financial improprieties in a function organised to show support for Teresa Kok (right) who was at that time detained under the Internal Security Act.

Asked about Teoh's alleged kickback, Ean Yong vehemently denied the allegation, adding that the deceased was only claiming the cost for the banners that were printed for the function organised by the company.

He said that the money given to Serdang Aman DAP was also another case of reimbursement. In both instances, he said there are receipts to prove the innocence of both parties.

MACC-blog owner collusion?

Ean Yong also distributed copies of four invoices to reporters, referred in Mohd Anuar's testimony as invoices for non-existent projects.

He attached photographs to show that the projects were indeed completed and questioned the MACC's ability to gather proper information and assessed evidence.

"These documents and pictures are available at the land office. Why did they imply that some criminal act was involved? Is this a move to tarnish the DAP and Pakatan Rakyat?" asked Ean Yong.

He pointed out that the four invoices tendered at the inquest by Mohd Anuar were unsigned copies, said to be extracted from Teoh's laptop computer.

"They said these invoices were obtained from Teoh's laptop. The problem is, how did the 'black blog' obtain a copy?" asked Ean Yong, who stopped short of accusing the MACC of colluding with the blog.

Ean Yong was referring to the "Truth For Beng Hock" blog or commonly known as the 'black blog' among DAP circles, which has made a series of allegations that he and his exco colleague, Ronnie Liu, had a hand in Teoh's death.

The anonymous blog had also posted a series of confidential documents, including the accounts for the RM500,000 annual state allocation for each constituency.

Ean Yong and Liu (right) have both lodged police reports against the blog.

Allegations of Teoh and DAP branches receiving kickbacks were also published on the same blog several weeks ago.

Asked if legal action would be taken against Mohd Anuar and the MACC for the damaging allegations made at the inquest, Ean Yong said he would have to consult with his lawyers first.

AG files motion against Selangor govt circular - Star

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS

PUTRAJAYA: The Attorney-General’s Chambers has filed a motion in the Shah Alam High Court to nullify a circular issued by the Selangor State secretary over a directive involving interviews being conducted to assist investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

The AG is seeking to nullify Circular No 4, 2009 dated July 28 and is also seeking ancillary orders deemed fair and suitable by the court.

Last month, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim issued a directive that state officials could only be questioned by enforcement authorities at the state secretariat building and not outside their place of work, especially in cases concerning abuse of funds.

The directive came following the sudden death of Teoh Beng Hock, 30, an aide to Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah on July 16.

Teoh, who had been assisting an MACC probe into allegations of misuse of allocations by several state assemblymen, was found dead on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam here, nine floors below the state MACC office.

On Monday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said that the Selangor government’s directive to “restrict” MACC officers from interviewing state representatives outside the state secretariat building was not legally binding.

He said that the state could not issue directives that appeared to set limits on independent investigations by the MACC and could be deemed as obstructing a government official from executing his duties.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Ghani Patail said then that his Chambers would be filing an application in court to seek a declaration that the directive by Khalid was null and void.

Khir Toyo denies allegations in mystery letter - Malaysian Insider

By Neville Spykerman

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 – Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has denied allegations contained in a mystery letter purportedly written by unnamed MACC officers that implicates him in a conspiracy with a senior anti-graft officer to bring down the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Selangor government.

“The allegations are not true,” the former Selangor mentri besar told The Malaysian Insider from Mecca, Saudi Arabia, when told about the letter. “I do not know this MACC officer.”

He added that he was not aware of the letter but would take legal action against any website for publishing it.

The letter was delivered two days ago to Gobind Singh Deo, the lawyer for Teoh Beng Hock’s family, and was sent by anonymous parties claiming to be “MACC officers” who urged the authorities to probe a senior anti-graft officer for corruption and involvement in the DAP political aide’s death.

The letter, written in Bahasa Malaysia on an MACC letterhead, appears to give lawyers for the family ammunition and a roadmap to investigate Teoh's death.

A senior official of the MACC was named as someone who was personally involved in questioning Teoh in the final hours before he died.

An account of what happened during questioning was also suggested.

The letter accuses the senior official of widespread corruption involving previous investigations.

It also accuses the senior officer of acting on the instruction of Dr Mohd Khir from the time he was the Selangor mentri besar to initiate investigations into possible corruption involving the current government.

In the letter, a number of previous investigations purportedly involving Dr Mohd Khir’s administration are listed, and the senior officer was said to have covered up those cases.

Yesterday, magistrate Azmil Muntapha Abas, who is acting as coroner in the inquest into Teoh’s death, ordered the police investigating officer, ASP Ahmad Nazri Zainal, to immediately look into the contents of the letter and check all its claims.

Azmil also told the lawyers involved not to disclose the details of the letter to anyone but did not issue a “gag order” as requested by Tan Hock Chuan, the lawyer heading the Attorney-General's team and assisting him in the inquest.

Tan asked for the “gag” to prevent putting the police follow-up at risk, as several notable people are said to be named in the controversial letter.

But Gobind, who is representing Teoh's family, said a gag would not necessarily prevent the details from leaking out.

Gobind said the letter was handed directly to him late Tuesday afternoon, just as he was leaving the court here.

The envelope it came in was not addressed to him, he said. He refused to say who it was directed to.

Details at: http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/25886/84/

He was to be married tomorrow - Malaysiakini

Jul 16, 09 9:08pm

Teo Beng Hock was supposed to register to be married tomorrow, revealed DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang.

Expressing disbelief over his death, Lim said: "No one in his right senses will imagine to commit suicide a day before he is slated to be married."

The veteran politician added that the entire nation is shocked by the "first death of custody under the MACC."

"MACC's reputation is at an all time low. It must satisfy Teo's family and the public that there was no foul play or abuse involved," he added.

He was responding to reports that the 30-year-old political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah fell to his death from the MACC Selangor headquarters in Shah Alam.

Teo was taken in for questioning yesterday in relation to a probe by MACC pertaining to its investigations of seven Pakatan Rakyat assemblypersons.

His boss cannot believe it

Meanwhile, Ean Yong also refused to believe that Teo would have taken his own life.

"He was going to get married, why would he want to commit suicide," the visibly distraught DAP leader told reporters in Shah Alam.

According to the state exco, Teo looked normal before heading off to the MACC office.

"He looked calm. Before he went to the MACC office, (lawyer M) Manoharan and myself talked to him about how to answer the questions.

"If there was any problems, I should be the one (to face action). I don't see any reason for him to commit suicide," he said.

This is what other Pakatan leaders had to say about Teo's death:

Lau Weng San, DAP Kampung Tunku assemblyperson

MACC should provide a full explanation. I would ask that the investigating officers be suspended until a thorough investigation is done.

It is difficult to continue cooperating with MACC (on the investigation of corruption charges) when our personal safety is not guaranteed. They better arrest me than record my statement if I am going to subjected to 'torture'.

MACC should get its priority straight. This is a case which involves (relatively) lower amount of money; it involves a few thousand, at most RM10 000. Why conduct an overnight investigation? There are other scandals which involve billions. What was the urgency for an all night probe when MACC has all the documents?

Teo was a healthy, energetic young man and his death comes as a shock. There was no need for him to commit suicide.

Teresa Kok, Selangor exco and DAP Kinrara assemblyperson

MACC has to be responsible for the death. There are a lot of questions being raised. Why did it (the investigation) drag on for so long? Why did MACC deny Teo access to a lawyer? Why should he (Teo) hang around the office (after he was released), and what sort of investigation was being carried out?

We are all very sad with the death of Teo which we hold MACC responsible for.

Hannah Yeoh, DAP Subang assemblyperson

I am extremely traumatised and shocked by Teo's death. I last spoke to him yesterday, after lunch, before MACC came to us. He was a friend of mine.

I do not know what to say because at the moment we do not know what really happened to him. I now fear for the safety of my assistant.

Elizabeth Wong, Selangor exco and PKR Bukit Lanjan assemblyperson

I am shocked and outraged. This tragic incident is another reminder of the recklessness of supposedly public institutions like the MACC in pursuing the goals of its political masters.

Let me be clear, I hold the MACC responsible for Teo's death. The shameless press conference this afternoon by MACC director of investigations Shukri Abdull is the biggest insult to the death of an innocent young man, and to Malaysians at large.

Does the MACC think it holds powers greater than the police when it interrogated Teo from 5pm to 4am the next day? In the face of such a frightening incident, I will not allow any of my staff to be taken in for questioning by MACC unless accompanied by their legal counsel.

The police must seal off Plaza Masalam and take into custody all those involved in the interrogation. Shukri should save whatever honour he and the MACC has left by resigning.

Tony Pua, DAP MP for Petaling Jaya Utara

Whatever it is, he was under their care. And it is fishing expedition, of people who will be the last person in the world to take money. This has gone completely over board.

Tan Seng Giaw , DAP MP for Kepong

We should let the police investigate first? Some people say there is foul play but let police investigate first.

Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, PKR president

PKR is shocked and saddened by this incident. We want an immediate and thorough probe to be carried out by the police and MACC. Immediate action must be taken to ensure that justice is served.

Selangor exco’s aide falls to death - Star

Jul 16 2009

Teoh Beng Hock, political secretary of Sri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead at Plaza Masalam, nine floors below the MACC office. Teoh was assisting the MACC in an investigation into the alleged abuse of constituency funds by several assemblymen.

SHAH ALAM: The aide to a Selangor state executive council (exco) member who was assisting the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in an investigation was found dead at Plaza Masalam, nine floors below the MACC office.

A janitor found the body of Teoh Beng Hock, 30, the political secretary of Sri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah, sprawled on the fifth floor of the 20-storey building at about 1:30pm on Thursday.

Teoh was taken to the MACC office at 6pm on Wednesday to assist in the graftbusting agency’s investigation into the alleged abuse of constituency development funds by several state assemblymen.

The Plaza Masalam building where Teoh fell to his death.

MACC officers had earlier that day raided Ean Yong’s office at the state secretariat building, seizing a desktop computer belonging to the state government and a laptop computer belonging to Teoh.

MACC director of investigation Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdull said Teoh -- a former journalist with Sin Chew Daily -- was released at about 3:45am on Thursday after his officers had finished recording his statement.

He said Teoh did not go back but was seen loitering in the building and had asked to rest for a while at the pantry.

“No one saw him after that until we were alerted that a body had been found on the fifth floor at about 1:30pm,” he said, adding that Teoh was a witness in the MACC investigation.

The MACC office, located on the 14th floor of the building, does not have any CCTVs installed.

Selangor Chief Police Officer Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar, who was present at the scene on Thursday evening, said police would be interviewing the people who were last seen with Teoh.

“There is not going to be any cover-up in this investigation, and I assure the public and his family that we will conduct a thorough investigation into his death.

“We have requested for a private as well as a government pathologist to be present and assist us in our investigations,’’ he said.

Since Tuesday, the MACC has raided the offices and service centres of several assemblymen, including Ean Yong and Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San.

Others under investigation are Teresa Kok (Kinrara assemblyman), Elizabeth Wong (Bukit Lanjan), Dr Cheah Wing Yin (Damansara Utama), Edward Lee (Bukit Gasing) and Hannah Yeoh (Subang Jaya).

Thorough and open investigation
DAP leaders asked for a thorough investigation into Teoh’s death.

Party deputy chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw said the incident should not have happened and that the police must investigate the case.

”It is a sad thing,” he told reporters after attending a Public Accounts Committee hearing in KUALA LUMPUR on Thursday.

DAP publicity secretary Tony Pua said the MACC should be held responsible for Teoh’s death since he was under its care.

”Whatever it is, he was under its (MACC’s) care. It was going on a fishing expedition when (conducting investigation on DAP state assemblymen),” he said.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the MACC should stop its “political persecution” of Pakatan Rakyat members, especially DAP leaders and members, that does not serve the interest of fighting corruption.

“Such political games have caused the loss of life of a bright young idealistic DAP member,” said Lim, who is also Chief Minister of Penang.

“There must be full transparency and accountability,” he said.

Lim said the party extended its condolences to Teoh’s family for the tragic loss and assured them that all steps would be taken to ensure that the culprits responsible be punished.

Khir Toyo, BN reps suspended from Assembly - Star

Jul 15 2009 By WANI MUTHIAH and CHRISTINA TAN

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor State Assembly has suspended former mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and four other Barisan Nasional assemblymen for one year and six months each respectively.

All their privileges as assemblymen have also been revoked for the suspension period.

The state assembly’s Rights and Privileges Committee had recommended Dr Mohd Khir’s suspension without privileges for not attending the Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) inquiry and for allegedly making disparaging remarks against the committee in the media.

The other four Barisan assemblymen -- Datuk Warno Dogol (Sabak Bernam), Datuk Mohd Idris Abu Bakar (Hulu Bernam), Mohd Isa Abu Kassim (Batang Kali) and Datuk Marsum Paing (Dengkil) -- were also suspended for attacking Selcat in the media.

All hell broke loose at the Assembly earlier Wednesday when Dr Mohd Khir came out with guns blazing to shoot down the motion to suspend him and the other four from the House.

After a tirade against the motion during the debate, he and 18 other Barisan assemblymen then walked out and collectively announced to the media that they would be boycotting the current state assembly session.

When debating the motion to suspend him and his colleagues, Dr Mohd Khir lambasted the state government for “going against natural justice” by recommending the suspension.

He said Selcat had acted unfairly by not providing necessary documents to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for investigations to be carried out after the inquiry.

He also accused the state government of orchestrating the Selcat inquiry to “hide its inefficacy in governing the state.”

He called the Pakatan Rakyat coalition “brittle” and said it was a “sinking ship.”

“During my tenure as mentri besar, the state was never in such bad condition nor had it lost so much investment,” he claimed.

He said Selcat was “incomprehensible,” adding that was some confusion over whether the inquiry was to investigate the Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation (Balkis) or evaluate state-owned companies.

He said he did not attend the hearing because he was not a member of Balkis and that he and his BN colleagues were slapped with suspensions because they addressed the state government’s weaknesses.

Complainant, prosecutor and judge
Dr Mohd Khir also took potshots at DAP assemblymen Ronnie Liu and Ng Suee Lim.

He said that his suspension was unfair because Selangor Speaker Teng Chang Khim had played the role of “complainant, prosecutor and judge.”

He said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia had not participated in the suspension of Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo earlier this year, and Teng should have done the same and stayed above the fray.

Dr Mohd Khir also cited several provisions in the Standing Order, claiming that not adhering to the order of a legislative assembly committee was not tantamount to contempt of the House.

At a press conference later, Teng lambasted accused Dr Mohd Khir of misleading the public.

Accompanied by Deputy Speaker Haniza Talha, Teng said none of the Standing Order provisions cited by Dr Mohd Khir were correct or relevant.

He read out clauses from the Standing Order which stated that an act of contempt towards the legislative assembly’s committees was equivalent to contempt of the House.

Teng also said Standing Order provisions allowed him to be complainant, prosecutor and judge when the need arose.

He said this was reflected by his decision to throw Dr Mohd Khir out of the House on Monday for calling Teng biased.

“He is talking about ordinary court proceedings but this is the legislative assembly,” said Teng.

“In Gobind’s case, the MP was ordered out of the House for calling then Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak names.

“The following day, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz tabled a motion to suspend him and he was suspended without being referred to the Rights and Privileges Committee.

“The Speaker did not participate because Speakers do not participate in debates and the motion was tabled by the Government,” said Teng.

He said it was a different scenario in Selangor because Dr Mohd Khir was given a chance to defend himself.

He said the former mentri besar had appeared before the legislative assembly’s Rights and Privileges Committee with seven lawyers, but had refused to say anything to defend himself.

Transcripts of the proceedings were made available to the press.

On Dr Mohd Khir’s allegation that Selcat had refused to give the relevant documents to the MACC, Teng said the findings cannot be revealed before they are tabled in the House.

“They have since been tabled and the MACC can get copies of the findings now,” said Teng, adding that the MACC had been invited to attend Selcat’s public hearing but it had not sent a representative.

MACC raids Selangor exco man's office - Star

Jul 15, 2009 By WANI MUTHIAH

SHAH ALAM: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers raided Selangor executive council member Ean Yong Hian Wah’s office at the state secretariat building here Wednesday.

The team, comprising officers from the MACC’s Selangor and Putrajaya divisions, seized a personal laptop belonging to Ean Yong’s political secretary Teoh Beng Hock and a desktop computer belonging to the state government.

Teoh, 30, was also taken by the officers to the Selangor MACC office to assist in the investigation.

The officers had gone to Ean Yong’s 15th floor office at about 3:45pm but left after seeing a big group of journalists there. They returned about 15 minutes later when the journalists had left the scene.

Ean Yong, who is the Seri Kembangan state assemblyman, said the officers had initially left the office because they were uncomfortable with the media presence there.

He added they had visited his service centre in Sri Kambangan at about 12:30pm before coming to the state secretariat building.

Meanwhile, Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San said the MACC officers had also raided his service centre.

Lau said the MACC had asked him questions about community programmes he had organised.

Ean Yong and Lau are among seven Pakatan Rakyat elected representatives from the Petaling District who are allegedly being investigated by the MACC over the disbursement of state funds allocated to their respective constituencies.

The others are Teresa Kok (Kinrara), Elizabeth Wong (Bukit Lanjan), Dr Cheah Wing Yin (Damansara Utama), Edward Lee (Bukit Gasing) and Hannah Yeoh (Subang Jaya).

Kok had said in a press conference on Monday that even the recipients of the allocations were quizzed by the MACC.

Dr Khir ejected from assembly sitting- Star

Jul 13, 2009 By WANI MUTHIAH and CHRISTINA TAN

newsdesk@thestar.com.my

SHAH ALAM: Selangor Opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo was thrown out of the state legislative assembly Monday for accusing Speaker Teng Chang Khim of being biased.

Teng had ordered Dr Mohd Khir to retract the allegation and apologise, but the former mentri besar adamantly refused to do so.

Teng then ordered him to leave. The Sg Panjang assemblyman left the chambers accompanied by other Barisan Nasional legislators.

The drama began at about 11:30am when Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim informed the house that Dr Mohd Khir’s lawyers had handed him a legal notice at the state assembly premises.

The lawyers had tried to hand over the legal notice to Ng last Friday at the assembly premises as well, but the DAP assemblyman had refused to accept the document.

The legal notice was to inform Ng that Dr Mohd Khir had instituted a defamation suit against him over his allegation that the former mentri besar had spent RM24 mil to purchase a luxury bungalow here.

Ng asked Teng if this was permissible under the Standing Order and if doing so was tantamount to disrespecting the House.

Teng referred to the Standing Order and said it stated that no legal notices or court orders could be handed over at the premises of the legislative assembly.

“This contravenes the immunity enjoyed by elected representatives when in the House and it is also a show of disrespect towards the legislative assembly,” said Teng.

He warned Dr Mohd Khir not to repeat the action and asked him to remind his lawyers not to do so either.

“As lawyers they should have known this as it is a Constitutional convention ... this is something that even first year law students know.

“It’s a practice that has been in place for over a hundred years.

“It also happened in Parliament once and the Speaker there had ruled that it cannot be done in the premises as it contravened parliamentary immunity,” said Teng.

Dr Mohd Khir then told Teng the Standing Order only stated that it cannot be done in the assembly chambers and not anywhere else within the premises.

“It meant only in the House (chamber) not when out of the House. That’s why everyone can talk outside, including reporters.

“That is also why reporters are not allowed inside the House (chamber),” he said, adding that the notice was handed over to Ng at the parking lot.

Teng then asked Dr Mohd Khir to specify which Standing Order stated so and when the Opposition legislator failed to do so, the Speaker raised his voice.

Dr Mohd Khir then told Teng that Kinrara assemblyman Teresa Kok had placed a legal notice on his table during the assembly seating earlier this year.

Teng then retorted that Dr Mohd Khir should have reported to him when the alleged incident had taken place.

Teng repeatedly asked Dr Mohd Khir to specify the Standing Order which allowed legal notices to be handed out in the legislative assembly premises.

The explosive exchange that followed not only silenced the House but also shocked a group of college students who were watching the proceedings in the lobby.

Dr Mohd Khir: “I plead with the Speaker not to be biased.”

Teng: “Retract that statement.”

Dr Mohd Khir: “I will not retract.”

Teng: “Retract or leave. No legislative assembly has accused the Speaker as being biased. I am giving you a chance to apologise.”

Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San then stood up to speak but was ordered to sit down by Teng, who said that he was capable of dealing with the situation.

Dr Mohd Khir, who left the assembly, told reporters waiting for him at the lobby that he was disappointed with Teng for telling him to leave.

He reiterated that Kok had placed a legal notice on his table in the House and he had accepted it “without much ado.”

He alleged that there were many personal attacks leveled against him in the House, and added that the proceedings in the House “reeked of personal agendas.”

“They don’t even know how to govern the state,” he said.

Later in a press conference, Dr Mohd Khir said that he would be instituting legal action against Teng.

During lunch break, Ng claimed that a legal firm representative had handed him the notice at the legislative assembly dining hall and not the parking lot as claimed by Dr Mohd Khir.

Dr M: I don’t believe Khir’s mansion costs only RM3.5mil - Star

Jul 11, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is not convinced with former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo’s claim that his controversial mansion costs only RM3.5mil.

“He cannot simply say he bought the mansion for RM3.5mil. I believe it is more than that,” he said.

“I also have a home in Seri Kembangan. I have spent RM1mil on it, but this (Dr Khir’s mansion) is massive - many times bigger than mine,” he said.

Dr Mahathir was met by reporters after attending a closed-door meeting on the position of the institutional monarchy and the Malays in the Federal Constitution from the 1Malaysia perspective at the Putra World Trade Centre, here, yesterday.

Asked if the matter could tarnish Umno’s image, he said: “Yes, I think so. He has to explain where he got the money to buy the house.”

On Monday, Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim alleged that Dr Khir’s property was worth RM24mil, but the latter had denied it saying that he secured a RM3.5mil loan to buy the house five years ago.

Mohd Khir said he took the loan from HSBC and had no problem servicing the monthly repayment of RM18,743 as he was now involved in business from which he was making RM50,000 a month.

It was also reported that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission will investigate Ng’s allegation that Dr Khir spent RM24mil to build the Balinese-style mansion in Section 7, Shah Alam during his tenure as the Mentri Besar.

MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan said the commission would get more details from the Selangor government.

Dr Khir's Mansion A Hot Topic In Selangor Assembly

SHAH ALAM, July 9 (Bernama) -- Former Selangor Menteri Besar's 'palatial mansion' in Section 7 here, reportedly worth RM24 million, was among hot topics discussed at the Selangor state assembly here on Thursday.

Sekinchan state assemblyman Ng Suee Lim (DAP) questioned Dr Khir's financial means for the purchase of the mansion situated on two plots of land measuring 50,000 sq ft or 1.17acres when he was the Selangor Menteri Besar.

Ng raised the issue during the debate on an extra RM120 million budget allocation for 2009.

Earlier Ng quipped that the people of Kajang, where Dr Mohd Khir's clinic was located, must have been lining up to extract their tooth at his dental clinic, for him to be able to earn a hefty income before becoming the Menteri Besar.

Dr Khir explained that his income as a dentist was high because he not only specialised in dentistry but also specialised in cosmetic dentistry and that the cost of a dental implant was anything between RM40,000 to RM50,000.

The former Menteri Besar said even before becoming a Menteri Besar, he was driving a Mercedes Benz.

Ng later urged Dr Khir to produce evidence of his income tax payments.

As the debate went on, Lau Weng San (DAP-Kampung Tunku) stood up to ask whether Dr Khir was willing to sell his mansion for RM8 million, which was actually twice the purchase price of the mansion bought with a HSBC Bank loan three years ago.

However, Dr Khir said: "I am willing to sell the house for RM24 million as estimated."

Lim: Don’t take away Khir’s stipend - Star

May 24, 2009

PETALING JAYA: DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang has urged the Selangor Government not to deny Sungai Panjang assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo and four others their allowances, even if the House decides to suspend them.

“Although the state assembly rights and privileges committee has recommended to the assembly to suspend the five, the House should not take away their right to allowances.

“Otherwise, their constituencies will be in limbo,” he said when contacted yesterday.

He was responding to the committee’s recommendation to suspend Dr Khir from the assembly for a year without allowance and privileges for not attending an inquiry conducted by the state’s Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency in March to answer queries pertaining to disbursement of funds.

The select committee also found four other Barisan Nasional assemblymen – Datuk Warno Dogol (Sabak Bernam), Datuk Mohd Idris Abu Bakar (Hulu Bernam), Mohd Isa Abu Kassim (Batang Kali) and Datuk Marsum Paing (Dengkil) – guilty of attacking it in the media.