FAIRUS : TIADA KES ....

MACC drops case against Fairus In a statement here today, MACC said the decision was made after studying the case and considering the statements recorded in the course of investigation."MACC's legal and prosecuting division decided that the statements have no basis for prosecution. The Attorney-General also agreed with the decision," said the statement.MACC opened investigation papers after an allegation was made against two state Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leaders that they were involved in a corruption case pertaining to a quarry in Seberang Perai.The allegation by Kepala Batas PKR youth chief Amizuddin Ahmat in Feb forced Mohammad Fairus to resign as Penang Deputy Chief Minister I and Penanti state assemblyman. The MACC investigation found that Fairus'' duty and responsibility under his portfolio did not have any connection with the quarry business in Penang. "He was asked to investigate a case that involved the alienation of land at Lot 954 and 955, Mukim 20, Seberang Perai Tengah to an individual."MACC investigation found that he had asked and received funding from a quarry operator to attend an international course in London," said the statement. However, MACC found that the quarry operator concerned had no connection with the investigation against Fairus. "It also found that Fairus attended an international course in London in mid 2008 together with Penang Deputy Chief Minister II (P. Ramasamy) who was fully sponsored by the organiser and the state government," said the statement. MACC reminded state governments, ministries and departments to abide by the rules and procedures on requesting and accepting contributions from outside parties.It would send officers to Penang to study ways to improve transparency and accountability based on the procedures on contributions from outside. "MACC will propose that the outcome from the study be implemented in all states and ministries," said the statement. The move was in line with the duty and responsibility of MACC under section 7 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009. -- BERNAMA