Hamzah’s claim on ‘having many files on govt leaders’ a serious matter — Ramkarpal
KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin’s statement about him having many files on government party leaders from his time as Home Minister is a serious matter and should be given appropriate attention, the Dewan Rakyat was told yesterday.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Ramkarpal Singh said an investigation into the matter can only be done if a report is made for the police to open an investigation paper.
“Since the statement was made yesterday (March 12), I believe a report to the police or even to MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) is needed before any investigation can be done.
“I think that’s the normal practice,” he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2023 at the committee level.
Ramkarpal said this in reply to Gobind Singh Deo (DAPDamansara) who wanted to know whether an investigation is being done on the statement by Larut Member of Parliament which he described as an abuse of power.
Hamzah, in a special interview with an English daily on Sunday, claimed he had files in his possession which could implicate government leaders in wrongdoings, but said he was still thinking about whether to use them or not.
In another development, Ramkarpal said the MACC has opened 33 investigation papers against the alleged misappropriation of funds by the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra), with 10 cases brought to court across the country between 2021 and 2022.
“Investigations into the remaining cases are still ongoing with several actions have been taken including forfeiting and inspecting the weaknesses in the system and procedures related to Mitra funds,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the proposal to upgrade the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division under the department as a full ministry should take into account various aspects.
This includes the ruling government’s policy of not being so keen on having too many ministries and the existence of the Ministerial Functions Act 1969 which functions to oversee matters related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).