The prosecution of PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli for allegedly leaking banking details has dealt a serious blow to the anti-corruption credentials claimed by the administration of Najib Abdul Razak, said DAP publicity chief Tony Pua.
"(It) further undermines the underperforming Anti-Corruption National Key Results Area in the Government Transformation Programme (GTP)," said Pua in a press release today.
Pua said that, instead of pursuing those responsible for the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) scandal - the subject of Rafizi's exposé which resulted in his prosecution today - the government is exacting revenge against the whistleblower.
Pua said that prosecuting Rafizi also goes against the spirit of the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, which is meant to encourage the public to help combat graft.
"Only a week ago at the GTP2.0 Open Day, it was revealed that only seven persons have sought protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act, after more than 18 months. This clearly points towards a complete lack of confidence in the BN government.
"Rafizi’s persecution will mark the death knell for the Act as no whistleblower will have any trust in the system to protect their interest.”
He said this should be contrasted with the apparent lack of urgency to bring further criminal charges against members of Wanita Umno head and former federal minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
"Such blatant abuse of power will only confirms in the eyes of the world that (Najib Abdul Razak’s) reform agenda is pure hogwash," Pua said.
He pledged that DAP will be stand firmly with Rafizi and will not be cowed in efforts to expose alleged BN misdeeds.
'Wrong priorities'
Similarly, PAS Youth vice chief Raja Ahmad Iskandar Yaacop said the government has its priorities wrong and should be focusing on Rafizi's exposé.
In a press release today, he said the prosecution of Rafizi appears to be a warning to potential whistleblowers to hide government scandals.
"Rafizi's actions should be praised because he is trying to protect the country from the corrupt leaders. It is clear that his revelations carry weight because Shahrizat was forced out of cabinet," he said.
Ahmad Iskandar warned that if this trend continues, the country will be consumed by graft.
"Vengeful politics and persecuting someone for telling the truth is an evil act," he added.
The NFC has been accused of abusing the RM250 million government soft loan for a cattle breeding project, by spending on prime land, luxury condominiums, establishing shopping malls and other unrelated investments.
Despite mounting public pressure, the authorities have charged only NFC chief executive officer Mohd Salleh Ismail, who is Shahrizat's husband.
"(It) further undermines the underperforming Anti-Corruption National Key Results Area in the Government Transformation Programme (GTP)," said Pua in a press release today. Pua said that, instead of pursuing those responsible for the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) scandal - the subject of Rafizi's exposé which resulted in his prosecution today - the government is exacting revenge against the whistleblower.
Pua said that prosecuting Rafizi also goes against the spirit of the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, which is meant to encourage the public to help combat graft.
"Only a week ago at the GTP2.0 Open Day, it was revealed that only seven persons have sought protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act, after more than 18 months. This clearly points towards a complete lack of confidence in the BN government.
"Rafizi’s persecution will mark the death knell for the Act as no whistleblower will have any trust in the system to protect their interest.” He said this should be contrasted with the apparent lack of urgency to bring further criminal charges against members of Wanita Umno head and former federal minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
"Such blatant abuse of power will only confirms in the eyes of the world that (Najib Abdul Razak’s) reform agenda is pure hogwash," Pua said.
He pledged that DAP will be stand firmly with Rafizi and will not be cowed in efforts to expose alleged BN misdeeds.
'Wrong priorities'
Similarly, PAS Youth vice chief Raja Ahmad Iskandar Yaacop said the government has its priorities wrong and should be focusing on Rafizi's exposé.
In a press release today, he said the prosecution of Rafizi appears to be a warning to potential whistleblowers to hide government scandals.
"Rafizi's actions should be praised because he is trying to protect the country from the corrupt leaders. It is clear that his revelations carry weight because Shahrizat was forced out of cabinet," he said.
Ahmad Iskandar warned that if this trend continues, the country will be consumed by graft.
"Vengeful politics and persecuting someone for telling the truth is an evil act," he added.
The NFC has been accused of abusing the RM250 million government soft loan for a cattle breeding project, by spending on prime land, luxury condominiums, establishing shopping malls and other unrelated investments. Despite mounting public pressure, the authorities have charged only NFC chief executive officer Mohd Salleh Ismail, who is Shahrizat's husband.
He was charged a day after she announced that she would quit her cabinet post.
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