Azmin’s nephew under another investigation
PUTRAJAYA: A nephew of Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali is now under another investigation.
Sources said the 34-year-old was under investigation for allegedly acting as a middleman to help contractors secure projects from the Selangor state government.
Yesterday, the suspect and three others were remanded for a week until Dec 6 by the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC).
All four suspects were being investigated for suspected involvement in illegal sand mining activities in the state.
They were said to have raked in huge profits from such activities since 2014. Two of them were company directors, aged 41 and 67, and a 45-year-old site manager.
“The fresh allegation was discovered during the course of investigations into his role in illegal sand mining activities.
“We want to get to the bottom of this and find out how far the suspect has been using his uncle’s name for personal gains.
“The investigation will also look into the amount of kickbacks involved and money exchanging hands,” said a source.
Following a public tip-off on illegal mining activities, MACC officers raided a company in Sungai Long early Wednesday.
At that time, they were unaware of the involvement of the mentri besar’s nephew.
“During questioning, a person by the name of ‘Aboy’ was mentioned.
“The suspect was then picked up at his house in Kuala Lumpur. Background checks showed he is related to the Mentri Besar and runs an advertising firm,” added a source.
As part of the investigation, several lorries and bank accounts with cash amounting to RM4mil were seized.
It is understood that as a result of the illegal activities, the state government lost millions of ringgit in revenue.
In SHAH ALAM, the MB Office’s strategic communications director Yin Shao Loong confirmed that one of the suspects held by the MACC was the son of one of Mohamed Azmin’s sisters.
“The state government regretted that the information, about the suspect being Mohamed Azmin’s nephew, was leaked to social media and Umno-linked blogs.
“It clearly shows a conspiracy to tarnish the reputation of the Mentri Besar and state government in the advent of the 14th general election,” Yin said in a statement.
He said they had no issue with the MACC carrying out an investigation.
“The state government welcomes professional and transparent investigations in line with legal provisions and without interference from those with ‘vested interest’,” he added.