HK DROPS MUSA PROBE

WASTE OF TIME..... Anti-graft body says there is no new evidence to warrant investigations.

THE INDEPENDENT Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in Hong Kong will not revisit its probe into the RM40 million  allegedly linked to Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

Sources said the graft-buster found that no new evidence had been brought before the commission with connection to the case.

"The commission found that there are no new evidence whatsoever to warrant a fresh round of investigations.

"ICAC goes by the book in its pursuit of cases and is clear that it will stay away from any political play," the sources said.

ICAC, under the law, is obliged to investigate complaints lodged with it.

Parliament was told in October of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and ICAC's decision to clear Musa of alleged corruption.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat strategic director Rafizi Ramli had been lobbying ICAC to reopen its investigations into the case.

In November, Rafizi and three PKR lawmakers lodged a report with ICAC, listing three reasons to encourage the agency to reopen the probe.

This move came shortly after Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz told Parliament in October that Musa had been cleared of corruption after MACC and ICAC found that the money was not meant for Musa's personal use.

He told Parliament that the RM40 million was a "political donation" to Sabah Umno.

Previously, there were allegations suggesting that the funds were kickbacks from timber firms for the chief minister.

The sources said, like when ICAC initially found "insufficient evidence to take the case further", there was nothing new to take the case forward a second time.

Following ICAC's decision to clear Musa of any wrongdoing last year, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) secretary-general Datuk Henrynus Amin had said the outcome by both investigative bodies also proved that the opposition's claims were wrong and brought to light that they were the mastermind of this conspiracy.

"Those with vested interest had gone to great lengths in order to achieve their objective, which is to weaken the Barisan Nasional government as a means to get to Putrajaya."

He added that in the endeavour to topple a leader, the recycled allegations by the opposition had set off a wild goose chase which had wasted the time and effort of the relevant authorities of the countries concerned.

Henrynus also said the Hong Kong ICAC was a highly respected investigative body in the world, guided by the highest standards of practices, rules and procedures.

He added that MACC was an independent body that investigated and persecuted without fear or favour. (NST.COM.MY)