Crying ignorance over 30% cut for agents unacceptable of a Menteri Besar

Press statement by MCA Young Professionals Bureau chairman Datuk Chua Tee Yong

Crying ignorance over 30% cut for agents unacceptable of a Menteri Besar

Kedah Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Azizan was reported to have said that he was not aware that agents of Kedah Excos had allegedly requested a 30% cut for state allocations for NGOs and Chinese temples. This suggests inappropriate management in states under PAS administration to gradually float to the surface.

This is not the first time Pakatan Rakyat state governments have made mistakes. Although the Kedah Menteri Besar simply cried ignorance over the incident, he has yet to order an investigation to uncover any unethical practices that led to the allegations. Rather, on the contrary, he tried to cover this incident up. As Menteri Besar, there is no excuse to claim being unaware on incidents befalling Kedah, whether the people intended to cover it up or not.

This incident is not new nor a recent occurrence. Apparently, these incidents have long existed. As head of the state government, it would be quite ridiculous for Azizan to claim he was unaware of the practice.

A norm for subordinates to overrule the higher-ups
Incidents involving subordinates not reporting to their leaders have frequently cropped up in this northern state led by PAS governance. One such example is when the Kulim District Officer wanted to turn Kulim into an alcohol-free district. Thence, Menteri Besar Azizan also claimed that he was ignorant of the ADO’s instruction and pinned blame unto the local council.

“Being unaware” is not an acceptable excuse to shirk responsibility. “Being unaware” can show that state administration is not standardized and betrays the leaders’ inefficiency.

Graft galore
Requesting for a 30% cut from state allocations is tantamount to corruption and bribery. Furthermore, 9 organizations have come out to show proof and requested the MACC to investigate the practice. Hence, I urge the Kedah Menteri Besar to give a valid explanation to all Kedahans, reveal the truth and unveil the masks of Pakatan’s Excos in Kedah.

Since PAS helmed office in Kedah, the consequences are sufficient for voters to reconsider whether Pakatan Excos and state assemblymen have the ability to continue governing Kedah. This incident also proves that contrary to PAS claiming that there is no corruption under their governance, corruption and bribery still permeate in states under PAS administration.

蔡智勇：以不知情为由，吉打大臣严重失职

（吉隆坡13日马新社讯）马华青年专才局主任拿督蔡智勇说，吉打州务大臣拿督斯里阿兹占声称对州内议员拨款索回扣金一事表示不知情，这意味其领导失职。

他说，根据媒体报道，各团体反映有关事情并非近期才发生，而是一种“潜规则”，显示这种情况已存在一段长时间，身为一州之长的阿兹占竟然还宣称自己混不知情，简直不可思议。

他说：“吉打民联州政府三番四次出错已非头一遭，而如今吉大臣却以一句不知情为由草草交代，却没有立即行动下令调查整件事情的真相，有失职之虞。

“身为一名州务大臣，却对州内事务浑然不知，是被蒙在鼓里抑或后知后觉，都难辞其咎。”

蔡智勇发文告说，这种“下情没有上达”的事件在伊斯兰党执政的州属屡见不鲜，其中一个例子就是禁酒课题上，州务大臣同样说他不知情，并指是县署所为。

他说，由于此事已涉嫌收贿滥权，加上已经有学校校友会主席以及8个组织出示人证物证，要求反贪会进行彻查，因此，他吁请吉打州务大臣给予吉打人民一个交代，以让事实还原真相，并揭开吉打民联议员的真面目。

“通过自伊斯兰党在吉打民联上任以来所交出的执政成绩单，已足以让人民思考，民联议员是否有能力继续执政吉打州。

“同样的，今次事件也显示并非在伊斯兰党执政的州属，就绝对不会有贪污腐败的情况发生。”