THE Selangor government has described the raids conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today at Universiti Selangor (Unisel), Mentri Besar Incorporated (MBI) and Jana Niaga Sdn Bhd as an attempt to smear its image.

The Selangor menteri besar’s office strategic communications director Yin Shao Loong said despite the raids, the state government will cooperate with the MACC.

“We regret the action by the MACC to raid the three premises today.

“It clearly shows that the organised raids are an attempt to smear the image of the state government which has held to their principles of transparency and accountability,” he said in a statement.

The raids were carried out simultaneously this morning and it is believed that MACC confiscated a box of documents from the MB’s office.

Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali is currently out of the country for an official visit.

Yin said that even though Selangor welcomed the investigation based on reports lodged against the state government, MACC must carry out the investigations professionally and without being influenced by political pressure.

“The political pressure on MACC only erodes the people’s confidence in the agency.

“Selangor will continue to cooperate with MACC and at the same time defend our principles in managing the state and its subsidiaries.”

Yin also said that Selangor exco for Education, Human Capital Development, Science, Technology and Innovation Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has issued a statement on July 25 and 27 regarding the accusations against Jana Niaga Sdn Bhd.

“Selangor actions regarding this matter were based on the involved parties’ agreement to an out-of-court settlement.

“The settlement finalised between Unisel and Jana Niaga Sdn Bhd was based on good governance and it never involved Azmin personally or any decision that was made to solve the dispute,” he said.

Klang MP Charles Santiago said if there is any abuse of power, then it’s right for MACC to investigate, but it looks like it is targeting the Pakatan Harapan states of Selangor and Penang.

“I think this is an issue of trying to intimidate the Selangor government in the interest of Barisan Nasional and if that’s the case, it is wrong,” he said.

Santiago said while MACC has a mandate to free the country from corruption and go after state agencies that have violated the law, it appears to be targeting PH.

“There was the issue in Penang recently where the state exco member was hauled up and now they are targeting Selangor. It seems that is a trend they are targeting PH states,” he said. – August 22, 2017.