MACC probing claim Datuk Seri tried to buy off Rela men

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has launched an investigation into an allegation that a man with a “Datuk Seri” title had offered money to three People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) members to withdraw a police report against him.

City MACC director Datuk Han Chee Rull said the commission had opened an investigation paper on the case where the 29year-old suspect was alleged to have offered RM10,000 to each of the Rela personnel to “settle” an assault case. The offer was allegedly made through a middleman.

“The investigation into the al- legation is ongoing,” Han said.

On Tuesday, the victims — Melvin Cheong Mun Khai, 19, Leong Jiun Jie, 21, and Lee Weng Poh, 27 — as well as Ampang Rela platoon head Ho Hoong Keong, 55, lodged a report at the MACC office in Jalan Cochrane here following the alleged offer.

Rela director-general Zulkifli Abidin said MACC recorded their statements between 12.45pm and 3.30pm the same day.

Last Friday, the Datuk Seri was reported to have allegedly assaulted the Rela men when they asked him to move his Toyota Vellfire, which was obstructing traffic.

The 6.30am incident happened near Kau Ong Yah Temple in Ampang.

He had surrendered himself at Ampang district police headquarters on Tuesday and was being investigated for causing hurt and obstructing public servants from discharging their duties, under Section 324 and Section 186 of the Penal Code.