Ismail speaking to reporters on the Suaram issue on September 18, 2012. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 — The Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) plans to bring charges against the operating entity of Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) for its “misleading accounts”, the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.
“We will take legal action on Suara Inisiatif based on accounts that was reported to us... there are misleading elements in accounts,” he told reporters today.
He declined to reveal the specific clause in the Companies Act 1965 that will be used to bring charges against Suara Inisiatif within the next two days, saying that the Attorney-General will decide on the charge.
Ismail said the CCM was not bringing charges against Suara Inisiatif for receiving foreign funds.
He also stressed that the CCM only has powers to take action against Suara Inisiatif, and not the human rights watchdog Suaram.
“In one year, we investigate over 200 cases, Suara Inisiatif is one of them... not because we have personal problems with Suara Inisiatif,” he said.
He was responding to questions on whether the CCM carried out similar investigations on other registered companies.
Ismail said the other five government agencies involved in the probe have agreed to take action based on existing legal provisions.
He was referring to the Registrar of Societies, Bank Negara, the Home Ministry, the police and the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
He said the CCM’s scope of investigation is based on five sections in the Companies Act — sections 364 (2), 166A (3), 169 (14), 167 (1), 167 (2), 132 (1).
A total of 138 local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and 56 regional NGOs have pledged their support for Suaram, calling for a stop to the “harassment”.
Suaram is currently in the limelight due to its part in an ongoing French inquiry probing possible corruption in Malaysia’s multibillion ringgit purchase of two Scorpene submarines, which has been linked to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the murder of Mongolian model Altantuyaa Shaariibuu.
Earlier today, Suaram had launched a “Stand Up for Suaram” campaign to garner public support at the CCM building here.
“They (Suaram) have the right to voice out, but they can’t voice out to restrict our rights. They demonstrate... because (they) disagree with our actions... we take action based on law,” Ismail said.
“Suaram is an independent body, an NGO that has no connection to politics... why suddenly Nurul Izzah came along?” Ismail asked.
Nurul Izzah Anwar, an MP from opposition party PKR, had shown up in her personal capacity at the launch today.
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