'Routine check on firm'

SUARAM LINK: Inspection of Suara Inisiatif not a raid, says commission

THE Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) said its inspection two days ago of Suara Inisiatif, a business set-up linked to human rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), was a routine check and not a raid, as suggested by online news portals.

CCM on Tuesday had sent officers to Suara Inisiatif, where Suaram's office is located.

It said it did not need a war-rant to enter the company's premises.

"Under Section 7(b) of the Companies Act 1965, CMM inspection officers are allowed to enter business premises to conduct routine checks without a warrant.

"The inspection by CCM was to ensure that the company had abided by the provisions under the Companies Act."

CCM was responding to a report carried by an online news portal, which had said the former had to turn back for not having a valid warrant.

"We would like to clarify that routine checks are conducted on companies all the time, and this is no different."

CCM dispelled reports that Suaram was being targeted by the authorities.

"This is not accurate, as the inspection was not conducted on Suaram, but on the company registered as Suara Inisiatif Sdn Bhd.

"Under the Companies Act 1965 and other laws, all parties are expected to give their cooperation to CCM inspection officers carrying out their duties."

Suaram alleged that it had been targeted by CCM after its role in the Scorpene submarine purchase issue.

"Suaram has flourished for 23 years through donations from public and private sources and is fully accountable to our founders.

"We have nothing to hide and are prepared to comply with requirements specified under the law in submitting our fully audited records."

The organisation had recently been accused by a Malay rights group of not being a legiti-mate non-governmental organisation.

Jaringan Melayu Malaysia president Azwanddin Hamzah Said said Suaram had deceived the public into believing it was an independent human rights organisation, after it had registered as a company and not a society.

He said Suaram had raised suspicion as many of its members were opposition party leaders.

Independent Bayan Baru member of parliament Datuk Seri Zahrain Hashim had called on Suaram to apologise to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for lying about the connection between him, the Scorpene submarine purchase and Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.

'Routine check on firm'

SUARAM LINK: Inspection of Suara Inisiatif not a raid, says commission

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