KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is expected to complete its investigation into Asia Mobiliti, a company associated with the husband of Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, within the next few months.
According to MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, the ongoing investigation concerns Asia Mobiliti’s involvement as one of the two companies appointed for Selangor’s Demand Responsive Transit (DRT) pilot project.
“We’re looking at several aspects which should be improved in the future, especially regarding good governance when (a politician’s) family member is involved.
“I think the investigation (into Asia Mobiliti) should be completed within a month or two,” Azam said during a press conference following the launch of an MACC programme at a hotel in Petaling Jaya today.
Azam had previously announced that the commission found no wrongdoing in its preliminary investigation into Asia Mobiliti’s appointment by the state government. However, further investigations may proceed should new leads arise.
In May, MACC reportedly initiated a probe into the company after receiving “new complaints” and “new leads”, with investigators working to verify the validity of the allegations.
Asia Mobiliti was co-founded by Yeoh’s husband, Ramachandran Muniandy, alongside Premesh Chandran, a co-founder and former CEO of news portal Malaysiakini. Another director of the company is Satyakumar Sanmugasiva, who also sits on the board of Selangkah Ventures Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the Selangor state government.
Selangor’s Investment, Trade and Mobility executive councillor Ng Sze Han previously stated that the decision to involve only Asia Mobiliti and another firm, Badan Bas Coach Sdn Bhd, in the proof-of-concept phase was based on the fact that they were the only companies licensed by the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad).
Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin also clarified that Asia Mobiliti was only required to prove its capabilities in running the DRT and had not been awarded a contract.
The DRT system is a shared transportation service that groups passengers based on their locations and dispatches vehicles accordingly. This system can adjust routes on demand, unlike traditional services that adhere to fixed routes and schedules.
Anti-graft investigations into HRD Corp continue
Meanwhile, Azam revealed that MACC’s investigation into irregularities related to the Human Resources Development Corporation (HRD Corp) is still ongoing.
“We need to get input from many quarters (as) we’re investigating all the issues raised, none will be ignored.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to ask for a bit more time (to complete the investigation). My officers told me they need more time to look into (HRD Corp’s) investments, among others,” Azam said.
He added that the agency’s investigation is not limited to allegations of graft or abuse of power but also encompasses procedural and systemic issues highlighted in the Attorney-General’s (AG) Report 2/2024 on the corporation.
The report pointed out several discrepancies, including actions and decisions by HRD Corp’s management that did not comply with procedures and failed to protect the interests necessary to achieve the corporation’s objectives.
Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) also reviewed HRD Corp’s operations. Their report concluded that the corporation had practised poor governance and engaged in questionable procurement methods for real estate, potentially leading to financial losses.
HRD Corp Chief Executive Datuk Shahul Hameed Dawood has since been placed on garden leave, effective from July 19, pending MACC’s investigation into the government-linked entity. – August 14, 2024
