Ex-Cameron Highlands MP under investigation for graft


Alfian Z.M. Tahir

The graft probe into MIC vice-president C. Sivarraajh comes on the heels of his disqualification as Cameron Highlands MP. – Facebook pic, December 2, 2018.

FRESH from his disqualification as Cameron Highlands MP, MIC vice-president C. Sivarraajh is being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for alleged graft.

MACC opened investigations after the election court found Sivarraajh guilty of bribing Orang Asli voters to secure their support in the 14th general election.

Justice Azizah Nawawi, declaring the parliamentary seat vacant, said a “pattern of giving money to voters during the period before the election” and corrupt practices have been proven.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operation) Azam Baki confirmed that the anti-graft agency has commenced investigations, but declined to elaborate.

An MACC source told The Malaysian Insight that Sivarraajh is not the only one being investigated.

“We have opened up investigations into those involved. Not just one individual.

“We will call up all those involved.”

In his election petition, DAP’s Cameron Highlands candidate, M. Manogaran, said Sivarraajh had campaigned with Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, and had given bribes of between RM30 and RM1,000 to Orang Asli via their village headmen, or batin, to ensure they voted for the BN candidate in the five-cornered contest for the seat.

Manogaran said the bribes were paid when Sivarraajh met the community on April 28, and May 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9, which was polling day itself.

In his petition, filed on June 4, Manogaran named Sivarraajh as the sole respondent.

During trial, Sivarraajh denied he had given money to Orang Asli headmen in exchange for votes.

He previously said even if he had given money, it was upon the request of the headmen, for the benefit of Orang Asli and their villages.

In GE14, Sivarraajh won Cameron Highlands with 10,307 votes. – December 2, 2018.


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Comments


  • MI, please adjust your last paragraph to inform readers what the margin of victory was, as otherwise they might get the impression that 10,307 was the margin. Currently that number stands in a vacuum of voting information.

    Posted 7 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

    • Even with bribery, BN/MIC only managed to get a slim majority of 597 votes . . .

      Posted 7 years ago by YW Tai · Reply

  • Well done sivarraajh asshole by election dont forget to buy more votes better double the amount or buy all the
    Veggie in Cameron Highlands n give it to the voters good idea. Corrupt u are.

    Posted 7 years ago by Danial Abdullah · Reply

  • BASED ON MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO SAY THAT MCA (IN ONE INSTANCE AT LEAST) MIGHT ALSO HAVE INDULGED IN A SIMILAR MONEY-SCATTERING ACTIVITY AROUND GE12 UNDER THE PRETEXT OF DOING CHORES?..

    Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply