As the furore over the RM4.5 billion Spanco controversy intensifies, it looks like ex-PM Muhyiddin Yassin has come out with all guns blazing - flatly denying of any involvement in the awarding of government contracts that came under the purview of the Ministry of Finance. But what must have left the public perplexed is - wasn't he the prime minister when the contract was awarded?
For context, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is now in the midst of investigating the award of a government fleet management contract to a company called Spanco back in 2020. It was the company’s second such contract, as earlier it had secured a 25-year mandate to manage the government’s fleet of vehicles from 1993 to 2018. The prime minister at the time was of course Dr Mahathir Mohamad, whose tenure ended in 2003.
Upon expiry of the 25-year concession in 2018 an open tender was called by the government for the contract to supply, maintain and manage its fleet of official vehicles for the next 15 years.
Then on Dec 11, 2019 (during Pakatan Harapan’s tenure) Cekap Urus Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between Berjaya Group and Naza Group received a letter of intent (LOI) from the government for the fleet management contract; however, it was abruptly terminated a year later on Dec 22, 2020. (Note: By then, of course, the government had switched hands to none other than Muhyiddin’s Perikatan Nasional following the infamous Sheraton Move)
However, in July last year, Berjaya Group founder Vincent Tan caused a stir after filing a suit against the Finance Ministry and Spanco regarding the terminated LOI, alleging that the contract was awarded to Spanco again, even though its offered price was higher by RM700 million; this is what prompted the MACC to open an investigation into the matter.
Then last month, there was an uproar after NST reported that the graft-busting agency had raided the residence of a businessman with the title of 'Tan Sri' for an investigation into allegations of corruption involving the procurement and management of the government's fleet of vehicles worth RM4.5 billion. It must have been quite obvious to the public as to which case the raid referred to.
Following that, MACC Chief Commissioner Azam Baki, announced that all individuals involved in the decisions to award contracts for the supply and management of government vehicles to Spanco will be summoned to get their statements recorded; he added that it would include the former prime minister and finance minister during the period when Spanco was given the contract.
Then more recently, on Feb 22, Azam had announced that the statement of a former finance minister who had served in the government administration from 2020 to 2021 had been recorded; this was to assist in the investigation into corruption allegations related to the government fleet project; apparently he was summoned to explain the awarding of the contract.
Azam then added: "Many witnesses have already been called, except for the former prime minister. I leave it to the investigators to decide when (if necessary) to call him.”
Probably, it must have been this that had angered the ex-PM - causing him to “jump up and down” - and finally prompting him to issue a strongly-worded denial in his Facebook page claiming that the current government was out to tarnish his name - even citing character assassination! But didn't Azam make it clear that the Pagoh MP may be summoned (if necessary) as a witness to assist the authorities in its investigation - as the incident was presumed to have taken place under his watch?
Interestingly, after seeing a similar over-the-top reaction from ex-finance minister Daim Zainudin followed by Dr Mahathir when his businessmen sons came under MACC’s radar and were required to declare their assets, can the public be blamed if they ask: why is it that politicians, especially former top ministers, behave as if they are “untouchable” and are beyond reproach when they are queried by the relevant authorities on happenings during their time in office?
Remember the scandal involving faulty ventilators costing millions of ringgit purchased by the PN government during the Covid-19 pandemic? Todate, has anyone, with even a modicum of integrity, come forward to admit the tragic blunder despite knowing that it would have caused many innocent humans to lose their lives?
In Muhyiddin’s case, he was not even accused of any crime; in the worst case scenario, he will go on trial and be given the chance to clear his name, just like in the Jana Wibawa case where he was acquitted by the court.
The bottom line is, if the person is squeaky clean and has no skeletons in the closet - and furthermore, if there is no “sweetheart” deals involved - why all the drama and noise? Won't that only arouse suspicion that there could be something fishy? After all, it involved a whopping RM4.5 billion - where an alleged “extra RM700mil” was paid!
Main Information Source: Edge Malaysia and NST
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