HARASSMENT and intimidation against the Selangor government are to be expected until the 14th General Election, said Mohamed Azmin Ali, following the raids on Universiti Selangor (Unisel) and Mentri Besar Incorporated (MBI).

The menteri besar, who just returned from a trip overseas, said this was to be expected as there were quarters envious of the state’s achievements under opposition rule.

“Harassment and intimidation will continue until GE14. This, we have expected. Many quarters are jealous of Selangor’s achievements.

“Not only does Selangor have strong unity in its administration, which is made up of parties that received the people’s mandate in the last polls, but we also have new partners in Pakatan Harapan.

“At the same time, there are parties jealous of our success in managing the state’s economy and finances properly, transparently and with integrity,” he told reporters today.

Azmin cited Selangor’s latest achievement: a close to RM1 billion investment from Swedish furniture retailer IKEA, which is building its Asean distribution centre in the state.

“I have just come back from Zurich, where we have been given support from IKEA to build its distribution centre in Pulau Indah, Klang.

“This distribution centre is the third largest in the world after (the ones in) Chicago and Düsseldorf, Germany.

“The high-tech investment is valued at almost RM1 billion. The investment will create many jobs for our people, especially those skilled in technology.”

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority recently announced the investment in a statement. It said the centre would serve 12 retail stores in Asean, which would increase to 20 by 2026.

International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed was quoted as saying the project was a significant milestone for Malaysia and IKEA.

Azmin, who is also PKR deputy president, said the investment would help sustain Selangor’s economy.

“This success has been widely reported in the Bangkok Post, The Edge… but not in Utusan. Selangor’s successes have made some feel offended and envious, causing them to attempt to harass and intimidate me and the state government.”

Azmin said the state administration supported the fight against corruption, but urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to be professional and fair.

“Because if it is not, there will be a negative perception among the people, who will not put their faith in the country’s institutions in the fight against corruption.”

He said he was happy that high-ranking officers from Unisel and MBI had cooperated in MACC’s investigations, and promised that cooperation would continue to be given to the graft-busters.

Asked why he had to ask MACC to be professional when it had raided the state agencies based on reports lodged, Azmin said some media outlets had been told of the raids in advance.

“No need to ask that question. You know the general perception. Which media (organisation) was told first, when even Unisel and MBI were not notified? Utusan and TV3 were given the priority.

“What was the purpose? If it’s an investigation, then probe openly, transparently and professionally. We will cooperate, no problem.

“There is nothing that we have to hide. Nothing to hide as we have done things openly and transparently for the education of our children.”

On Wednesday, MACC conducted simultaneous raids on five locations in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur to investigate an alleged RM16 million payment by a state government-owned company to a private firm for maintenance work.

Unisel’s main campus and office, the MBI office and two offices belonging to contractor Jana Niaga Sdn Bhd were raided.

Before Selangor’s troubles with MACC, Penang was hit about two weeks ago when its environment exco, Phee Boon Poh, was arrested for allegedly using his position for gratification.

Phee had written letters to seek the postponement of enforcement action against an illegal carbon filter-processing factory in Sungai Lembu. – August 26, 2017.