Hamzah sends letter of demand to MACC, govt

KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has sent a letter of demand (LOD) to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the government for linking him to a corruption case involving RM15mil.

He called on the MACC to “immediately cease and desist in acting in a partisan political manner”.

The LOD was issued through legal firm, Chetan Jethwani, which was addressed to the MACC, its commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki and the government via the Attorney General's Chambers.

Hamzah, who is also Bersatu secretary-general, said in the letter that civil servants were sworn protectors of the constitutional rights of the people and were not supposed to violate them.

The letter also stated that if the MACC persisted in violating the sworn constitution duties and obligations, legal proceedings would commence against the parties to claim compensation and protect and vindicate Hamzah's reputation.

In a press conference on Friday (Aug 11), Hamzah alleged that the MACC and several officers abused their power, committed misfeasance in public office, and conspired to make him seen as someone who had committed an offence.

It was reported in May that Steven Sim Choo Thiam Sim was slapped with four charges under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.

He pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court to charges of soliciting and receiving RM15mil from a fellow businessman to secure projects from the Home Ministry.

Sim was said to have demanded RM15mil from Hep Kim Hong sometime in June 2021 at Jalan Dutamas 1 here.

The prosecution said the sum was meant as an inducement for Hamzah as the then Home Minister, to assist Hep’s company, Asia Coding Sdn Bhd, in securing projects from the ministry.

Sim was also handed three other charges involving the receipt of RM15mil in cash from Hep between July 19 and July 31, 2021.

If found guilty, he faces a jail term of up to 20 years’ and a fine no less than five times the alleged sum for each of the offences.