Investigation to go on despite resignation

2009/11/24

KOTA BARU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will investigate Kelantan Menteri Besar Incorporated (PMBK) chief executive officer Abdul Ariffahmi Abdul Rahman for alleged misappropriation and abuse of power although he quit the post yesterday. According to a source in the MACC, the investigation was a normal procedure following several allegations against PMBK.

"At this stage, the MACC is compiling information and the documents obtained from PMBK early this month while the investigation into this case is half-way through," said the source.

"After the investigation is completed, the papers will be submitted to the public prosecutor''s office to determine whether a charge should be made out."

Yesterday, Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat ordered his son-in-law Abdul Ariffahmi to resign from his CEO post in PMBK to avoid further allegations through the blogsites and poison-pen letters, and to safeguard PAS' good name.

Problems in PMBK began when six MACC officers were reported to have raided the PMBK office in Jalan Kuala Krai here on Nov 9 and took away several documents.

At the same time, Nik Aziz also admitted receiving sponsorship of Haj package worth RM65,000 for him and his family members including Abdul Ariffahmi, from an individual but later declined the offer after various quarters questioned it.

The crisis in PMBK deepened when Abdul Ariffahmi last week ended the work contract of PMBK corporate liaison officer Syed Azidi Syed Abdul Aziz, better known as blogger Kickdefella, seen as the righthand man of state exco member Datuk Husam Musa, who is also a PAS central committee member.

Two days ago, Husam was reported to have offered to resign from all party and state government posts following the upheaval in PMBK and allegations by certain quarters that he was behind it.
-- BERNAMA