Azmin decries smear campaign against S’gor govt

PETALING JAYA: Allegations that the Selangor Government is involved in corrupt practices, including making “requests for women during negotiations” are part of a smear campaign, says Menteri Besar Azmin Ali.

Responding to news reports about the allegations, Azmin said in a statement today, that the “scurrilous and scandalous” allegations, which were unsupported by any evidence, was part of a systematic smear campaign against the state government.

He said the state government welcomed efforts by whistleblowers to help ensure a clean and corrupt-free government and added, “But if there is even a shred of evidence to support these allegations, it is incumbent on those making them to produce it to the relevant authorities for necessary action.

“Taking potshots at the government without the requisite evidence and then disseminating them to all and sundry is an act of sheer cowardice, irresponsibility and malicious mischief.”

The PKR deputy president said the perpetrators of the allegations had sullied the good name, reputation and integrity of the state’s civil service and executive councillors who had contributed so much to the state.

He added that while the state government practiced zero tolerance for corruption, it was also duty bound to protect the good name and reputation of civil servants and executives from irresponsible and wild accusations.

Yesterday, a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation in a chat group called Solidarity For Anwar, made its rounds online, showing a message from PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli.

In the message, Rafizi said he had received reports and complaints that aside from money, there were requests for women in negotiations with the state government, adding that his tolerance had “limits.”

When contacted by FMT yesterday, Rafizi refused to give a comment.

Meanwhile, PKR state executive councillor Elizabeth Wong told FMT that no one had any idea what Rafizi was talking about, and if there was anything to it, the leadership would be the first to know.

She said PKR has fought hard to make the state government more transparent and accountable, while noting that there were almost 10 state assembly committees and integrity committees in local councils to monitor the civil service.

When asked if the state leadership was going to ask Rafizi to come forth with any supposed evidence, Wong said it was more likely that the national leadership would do so.