Tourism Ministry sec-gen quizzed over ‘Speedy Gonzales’ deal

PETALING JAYA: Anti-graft investigators have called up a high-ranking official from the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry for questioning in the ongoing probe of a multimillion-ringgit contract awarded last year.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) recorded a statement from ministry secretary-general Datuk Rashidi Hasbullah about the controversial RM99mil contract for a company to act as a go-between for Tourism Malaysia and a China-based firm to promote Malaysia via a digital advertising campaign.

He was at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya yesterday for three hours from 9.30am.

Rashidi will also have to present himself there today for a second round of questioning.

MACC sources said more might be called in for questioning as the investigating team probes deeper.

On Tuesday, former Tourism Malaysia chairman Datuk Siew Ka Wai and a company CEO Elizabeth Ken Tze Ying, 32, were arrested by the MACC.

Sources had said Siew is believed to have used his position to propose for the company to be appointed directly for the lucrative contract.

The contract is said to have been approved in just a day and did not follow Tourism Malaysia’s procurement regulations.

Siew and Ken’s remand order expires today.

It was reported in June last year that MACC had “visited” the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry after former Tourism Malaysia chairman Wee Choo Keong called on authorities to look into the controversial contract.

Wee dubbed the contract a “Speedy Gonzales” deal, as it was allegedly signed within a day and that he had evidence of wrongdoing to back his claims.