Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Hmm… is this the actual reason for one the MIC candidates being dropped from Johor state seat election? In the beginning, Samy Velu said the candidate was dropped because the constituency “had more women voters” and thus a woman candidate was chosen. Even the original candidate said that. But MK did mention that the actual reason may be linked to an investigation by ACA.
Evwn though the initial report by NST and Star did not mention anything about the party that the councillor represents, one of the Tamil radio stations did mention that he was from MIC.
Anyway, still no clear information on who it is. For the record, there are two MIC (and Indian) councilors in MBJB. They are Dato’ Balakrishnan and Sooriyanarayan. One of them were selectec and later dropped from the election candidates list. The MBJB website have their details. You can call them and ask if interested to know more 🙂
No mention of the name and party in the Star:
ACA release JB city councillor on bail
By MEERA VIJAYAN
JOHOR BARU: A Johor Baru city councillor who was detained by the Anti-Corruption Agency has been released on bail after his statement was recorded. State ACA director Simi Abdul Ghani said that the councillor was released within 24 hours after he was detained on Friday.
“He was caught red-handed and we have recorded his statement and released him,” he said but declined to elaborate if the councillor would be charged. The councillor was detained on Feb (error:should be March) 28 at around 1pm in Permas Jaya for allegedly accepting bribes from a Singaporean businessman to “settle” a problem involving a kindergarten here.
The Singaporean, who runs a kindergarten, was slapped with a notice some time ago to cease operations after residents complained of traffic jams. The businessman sought the help of the councillor who asked for several thousands of ringgit to help “settle the matter”, but the deal went sour when the Singaporean was hauled to the council court and fined heavily despite paying the bribe.
It is learnt that the councillor in his 50s, who is active in politics and picked as a candidate in the general election before being dropped was also questioned by the ACA in 2006. He was investigated for submitting false claims over the purchase of electrical items. The case is still pending.
No mention of the name, but party name revealed in the NST’s update:
JB city councillor released on bail by ACA
BERNAMA
source
JOHOR BARU, Sat:
The Johor Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) today released a Johor Baru city councillor on bail after he was arrested yesterday afternoon. When contacted, Johor ACA Director Simi Abdul Ghani confirmed the councillor’s release, saying that the councillor, who is also a senior Johor MIC leader, was released after the ACA had taken his statement. “The man was released after his statement was recorded. However, further investigation into the matter is being carried out,” he said.
The politician, in his 50’s, was detained about 1pm yesterday at a shop at Permas Jaya after he was believed to have aided a businesswoman in continuing her nursery centre although she had received a notice of closure from the Johor Baharu City Council. – BERNAMA
No mention of the name and party in the NST earlier article:
Politician held by ACA
JOHOR BARU: The state Anti-Corruption Agency has detained a city councillor who is also a politician after he allegedly received a bribe from a kindergarten operator last year. It is learnt that the ACA had been investigating claims that the Singaporean operator had bribed the councillor after he received a notice from the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) to shift operations. The notice was issued following complaints by residents that the location of the kindergarten was causing massive traffic jams in their neighbourhood.
The bribe was so that the councillor could “resolve” the issue.
It is learnt that the councillor in his 60s, was picked up in Permas Jaya here by plainclothes officers about 1pm yesterday, following a report lodged against him. The man is reputedly a division leader with a BN component party.
It is understood that the kindergarten operator had sought help from the councillor but even after paying the sum, action was taken against him by MBJB.When the operator failed to get the money back from the councillor, he lodged a report with the ACA.State ACA director Simi Abdul Ghani confirmed the suspect was arrested to assist in investigations.
