Hari ini saya difahamkan Adun Lunas Sdr Radzhi Salleh telahpun mengisytiharkan keluar dari parti. Pimpinan parti sememangnya memandang serius prestasi beliau yang terbukti lemah sepanjang menjawat jawatan dalam kerajaan negeri. Turut mengecewakan pimpinan ialah tuntutan perbelanjaan beliau yang tidak munasabah dan masalah perkahwinannya di Thailand. Amaran keras telahpun diberikan agar segera meningkatkan prestasi kerja dan memperkukuh khidmatnya di kawasan. Nampaknya nasihat dan amaran kami tidak beliau endahkan, lalu mengambil tindakan mengistiharkan keluar dari parti hari ini. Apapun alasan yang diberikan oleh beliau, saya berharap Sdr Radzhi sedar bahawa jangan sesekali bertindak mengkhianati amanah rakyat. Kerana “sesiapa yang menyemai angin, dia pastinya menuai badai.”
Berhubung kedudukan Sdr Razhi selaku Ahli Majlis Mesyuarat Negeri Kedah, saya yakin YAB Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Ustaz Azizan akan membuat keputusan yang terbaik selepas membuat pertimbangan sewajarnya. Seperti yang dijangkakan, mendekati tarikh mengundi Selasa ini, pastinya ada serangan bertujuan mengalih pandangan bersertakan cita-cita menggugat kerjasama kempen Pakatan Rakyat di Permatang Pasir. Adakah episod ini membabitkan tawaran sogokan jutaan ringgit? Saya tidak yakin SPRM yang dicurigai kewibawaannya mampu menjalankan siasatan tanpa ditunjuki serta berupaya memberi sebarang penjelasan memuaskan.
Izinkan saya menghimbau peristiwa pada tarikh 15 Disember 2008 yang menyaksikan ahli-ahli Dewan Rakyat mula menyertai perbahasan rang undang-undang Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia, dengan harapan akan wujud sebuah institusi bebas memerangi rasuah serta penyalahgunaan kuasa. Ternyata ada banyak kelemahan yang ketara terkandung di dalam rang tersebut, malahan telah kami perbahaskan dengan sabar agar ianya dapat diperbaiki demi kemaslahatan negara dan rakyat.
Dinukilkan peringatan Sayidina Ali r.a kepada Malik Ashtar ketika berbahas buat menjadi peringatan kepada diri saya dan rakan-rakan ahli Dewan Rakyat semua agar tidak memandang enteng tanggungjawab yang dipikul, kerana sesungguhnya jawatan ini adalah amanah dan bukannya satu keistimewaan.
Selepas berbahas panjang lebar, makanya Dewan Rakyat meluluskan satu Akta Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia 2008. Riuh rendahlah kononnya kita menuju ke satu era baru yang menjanjikan perubahan. Tidak sampai setahun wujudnya SPRM, institusi tersebut terpalit dengan pelbagai tuduhan yang serius seumpama kematian Teoh Beng Hock serta skandal Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang(PKFZ)
Hatta pendedahan saya ketika menjunjung kasih titah Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agong juga menemui jalan buntu. Laporan Adun Kulim, Sdr Lim Soo Nee bahawa bekas Menteri Besar Kedah Dato Mahadzir Khalid cuba menyogok beliau dengan jumlah wang sekitar RM 4-5 juta untuk menyertai barisan nasional seumpama mencurah air di daun keladi.
Rakyat turut marah apabila SPRM gagal bertindak terhadap penyelewengan pimpinan umno-bn yang dikatakan memiliki mahligai jutaan ringgit, pembelian pangsapuri mewah menggunakan duit kerajaan negeri dan kemungkinan terlibat menggadai tanah berpuluh ribu hektar kepada negara asing. Timbul pertanyaan kepada rakyat jelata adakah SPRM yang asas penubuhannya untuk berfungsi sebagai sebuah badan bebas dari kongkongan telah menjadi satu lagi perkakas pemerintah?
ANWAR IBRAHIM
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I understand today that the Lunas state assemblyperson, Sdr Radzhi Salleh has announced his departure from the party. The party leadership has always viewed seriously his weak performance throughout his tenure in the state government. His exorbitant claims for expenses and his marriage problems in Thailand have been disappointing through and through. Stern warnings were already given in hopes to increase his work performance and improve his service area but to no avail. Our advice and warnings were not heeded, and following that, he has decided to leave the party. Whatever the reasons, I hope that Sdr Radzhi realise that he should never betray the trust of the people, because “what goes around, comes around.”
Regarding the position of Sdr Radzhi as acting executive council member of Kedah, I am confident that YAB Chief Minister Dato’ Seri Ustaz Azizan will make the best possible decision upon careful consideration. As polling date is around the corner, there will definitely be attacks aiming to shift the blame and also to threaten the unity of Pakatan Rakyat at the Permatang Pasir’s campaign. Does this episode involve an offer to bribe with millions of ringgit as the prize? I am not confident that the MACC, which has already lost the confidence of the people, is able to carry out transparent investigations and is also able to give a satisfactory explanation.
Allow me to bring up the incident on 15 December 2008, where the members of the House of Representatives started a debate on the draft bill of the MACC. The intentions were to create an institution to battle corruption and the abuse of power. It was evident that the draft bill contained many loopholes. Nonetheless, we had debated with patience hoping to address it for the sake of the people.
The memory of Sayidina Ali r.a. and Malik Ashtar during the debate reminds me and fellow members of the House, not to take lightly our responsibility because this position is based on trust and is not a privilege.
After much debate, the House approved the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2008. Excitement was abuzz over the fact that we were heading towards a new era which promises change and reform. However, in less than a year after its birth, the institution is now smeared with serious accusations, such as the death of Teoh Beng Hock and Port Klang Free Zone scandal.
Well, my exposure whilst paying homage to His Royal Highness had also reached a dead end. The report by state assembly person of Kulim Sdr Lim Soo Nee stating that the former Chief Minister of Kedah Dato Mahadzir Khalid had attempted to bribe him with the sum of approximately RM4-5 million to join Barisan Nasional were in vain.
The people are angry when the MACC fails to act against the misconduct and corruption of UMNO-BN leaders, one of who is said to own a palace, purchasing a luxurious apartment using state funds and also possibly being involved in pledging a land of thousands of acres to a foreign country.
Queries arise amongst the people as to whether the MACC is an independent body free of captivity or has it become another tool for the Government?
ANWAR IBRAHIM