Mike blows his top in Selcat hearing

By Patrick Lee - Free Malaysia Today,

SHAH ALAM: Kapar MP S Manikavasagam lost his temper while attempting to give his testimony on the third day of hearings in the Selangor government probe into allegations of illegal sand mining.
Manikavasagam, popularly known as Mike, accused the Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) of participating in a cover-up.
Many times during the proceedings, the panel rejected his request to present additional witnesses and documents.
Selcat chairman Teng Chang Khim, quoting from the Selangor state constitution, told him the panel could not hear witnesses who had not submitted their written testimonies.
“We don't have investigators like a court of law,” he said. “This is not a usual court. We need (written) testimonies.”
Manikavasagam took to the hearing a pile of statutory declarations, application forms, cheque slips and other documents.
The altercation started when Teng said Selcat could call only one of the witnesses from his list.
Manikavasagam insisted that the panel call in one Ng Teck Yong, who he said was an employee of Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB), the state-owned sand-mining company.
Referring to the additional evidence he had brought to the hearing, he said: “I want to give all of this to you now.”
“You cannot hand the documents now,” Teng said. “You should have handed them before the hearing commences.
“We must follow procedure. It's not that we don't want the evidence, but we don't have the time. If we don't follow procedure, then the whole world will be laughing at us.”
Manikavasagam insisted on calling in his witnesses, saying it was important to the hearing. Teng ignored this and asked if he had anything to say.
Quoting from the Selangor constitution, Teng said the MP was free to give a statement before the hearing and that he was under the protection of the law. He said he had nothing to fear unless his information was false.
Time's up
Teng spent several minutes explaining rules and regulations applicable to the hearing and then asked Manikavasagam if he had any statement to make that would help Selcat in its probe.
Manikavasagam said Ng had sent him an unsigned letter alleging that KSSB’s bank account was short of RM10 million.
Teng: You relied on this letter, but he didn't sign this letter.
Manikavasagam: I don't have the signed one here.
Replying to a question from Teng, Manikavasagam said he did not have with him any document that would support his claim although he had seen one.
Manikavasagam: You don't have any account details, only hearsay. And you believed.
The MP tried to give details about a sand-mining company that he said was receiving special treatment from KSSB, but Teng cut him short by asking if he had documents to support his claims.
He said the documents were with Ng and insisted that the witness be allowed to testify. He lost his cool when Teng rejected the idea.
Teng: Please be patient, YB.
Manikavasagam: I am always patient, Mister Chairman. The public complains to me, I listen. The chairman has to bring in the witness.
Teng: Please wait.
Manikavasagam: I’ve already waited for so long.
Teng then announced that the MP's time was up, and that the panel would move on to the next witness.
Manikavasagam gathered his items and stormed out of the hall. The Selcat inquiry has been adjourned to a date to be determined later.