No political agenda in arrest, says Najib

Thursday August 21, 2008 MYT 12:47:26 PM
No political agenda in arrest, says Najib
By IZATUN SHARI

KUALA LUMPUR: There is no political agenda in the arrest of two Perak state executive councillors by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) for alleged graft involving housing projects in Seri Iskandar worth RM180mil, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the investigation was being conducted in terms of facts which could not be fabricated.

"It must happen first before the ACA can take action which means there is a giver and a receiver," he told reporters Thursday after launching the Women Summit 2008 at Sime Darby Convention here.

He was asked to comment on claims by Perak Mentri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin that it could be politically motivated in view of the timing of the arrest, which coincides with the Permatang Pauh by-election campaign.

The ACA arrested the two exco members, Changkat Jering assemblyman Kapt (Rtd) Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu, 57, and Behrang assemblyman Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi, 52, on Wednesday following a public tip-off last week. Four others were also arrested and had been remanded for three days to assist ACA officers in their investigations.

"It is normal. Whatever action taken is regarded as a political conspiracy to them, but in whatever case there must be a willing receiver and a willing giver.

"The law does not exempt anyone and this time it seems that two Perak executive councillors from PKR are being charged. This means that the ACA is satisfied with investigations on the two executive councillors to be charged."

Therefore, he said the state executive councillors would have to defend themselves in court.

Najib said the rakyat could make their own interpretations on the matter but it could not be concluded that they were guilty until they had gone through due process in court.