Gani Patail
MACC corruption prevention panel chairman Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, who attended the two-hour session at the Anti-Corruption Academy here, told The Malaysian Insider that Abdul Gani had gone out on a limb to prove his innocence.
“He went overboard and gave us detailed accounts of his trip to Mecca, showed us vouchers and statements and many of us even thought it was unnecessary to have gone so far,” he said when contacted this evening.
Navaratnam said that MACC members were satisfied with Abdul Gani’s explanation and found that there was no need to investigate the allegations.
“We found that there was no case at all to accuse him of being linked to Tajuddin just because of this trip. It was irresponsible to allege that he was in any way linked.
“Panel members did not see it fit to investigate the matter as we do not go by hearsay allegations or irresponsible rumours,” he said.
Last month, Social Care Foundation chairman Tan Sri Robert Phang Miow Sin had called on Abdul Gani to clear the air over allegations made on the Malaysia Today website of the latter’s relationship with Shahidan.
Abdul Gani was alleged to have shared the same travel package to Mecca with Shahidan, adding suspicion to earlier claims that the lawyer had been “convinced” not to press charges against Tajuddin, who also once owned mobile provider Celcom Bhd.
Tajuddin is presently under investigation for graft following the national carrier’s whopping losses of some RM8 billion during his tenure.
Malaysia Today editor and controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin has also alleged that Shahidan, Tajuddin’s frontman, had fostered ties with Abdul Gani when he was formerly a police officer in Johor Bahru.
The portal had also published records and pictures of the duo’s trip to Mecca, under a package said to have cost about RM60,000 per head.
Shahidan was said to have picked up the tab.
Phang, who is also a member of the MACC’s consultative and advisory panel, had called for the claims to be investigated and urged Abdul Gani to break his silence.
“But we feel there is no need for this. These were just loose talks, rumours and speculations with no proper basis.
“Abdul Gani went to Mecca and it was for religious reasons so why soil it this way by attributing improper motives,” said Navaratnam.
In a press statement today, the MACC confirmed that the dialogue session had taken place and had addressed the allegations against Abdul Gani.
“Tan Sri Abdul Gani openly gave his feedback and explanation on his trip with his family to Mecca and the case involving MASKargo.
“The meeting was held on the request of Abdul Gani,” the statement said.
It added that a total of 30 of the 42 MACC board and panel members had attended the session.
MACC chief commissioner Datuk Abu Kassim Mohamed and other MACC top leaders were also present.
Navaratnam added that dialogue had also touched on issues plaguing both the MACC and the A-G’s Chambers, including the problem of “hostile witnesses” and lack of resources.
“MACC members felt that both MACC and the A-G’s Chambers are not given enough resources and we will take this issue up with the government.
“We would like more funding for the employment of consultants, legal and forensic experts as well as communications consultants,” he said.
He added that Abdul Gani had also revealed his plans to strengthen the A-G’s Chambers by employing outside experts and the formation of a training institution for lawyers.
“He also gave us the rundown on the MASKargo case and we were satisfied that he had followed the book and maintained the rule of law.
“To make allegations is one thing but to prove it in court is anothermatter,” said Navaratnam.
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