The Malaysian Insight

TAJUDDIN Abdul Rahman’s removal as Prasarana Malaysia Bhd chairman and subsequent arrest by the anti-graft authority is not political motivated, said Bersatu’s Muhammad Faiz Na’aman.

He said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had been investigating the Pasir Salak MP from Umno since early this year.

“I understand that MACC had begun investigating Tajuddin since January,” Muhammad Faiz, a Bersatu supreme council member, told The Malaysian Insight.

“Hence, all the actions that have happened to him are not sudden. I believe MACC has acted fairly, firmly and professionally in this case.”

He was responding to speculation that Tajuddin’s sacking and arrest by MACC had been for criticising the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government and Bersatu.

Some Umno leaders have said that the PN government was practicing double standards in sacking Tajuddin, when underperforming ministers, including those from Bersatu, were still kept in their posts.

Tajuddin has frequently criticised the PN government, which is led by Bersatu. The Umno supreme council member is with the faction in the party that supports cutting ties with Bersatu in the 15th General Election.

He was appointed as Prasarana chairman by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in May last year, after Perikatan Nasional came into federal power.

On Wednesday, he was sacked from the post after widespread criticism of his callous manner during a press conference on the LRT train collision on Monday.

Prasarana, which is wholly owned by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) Incorporated, oversees the management and running of the public transportation services in the country. Tajuddin’s sacking was ordered by Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz

On Thursday, Tajuddin was summoned by the police for a statement for failing to wear a mask during the press conference, a violation of standard operating procedures (SOP) whereby masks are mandatory in public to curb the spread of Covid-19. He was only wearing a face shield.

Later the same day, MACC arrested Tajuddin to assist in investigations on alleged abuse of power. He was released on bail.

A source told The Malaysian Insight that the arrest was over allegations that Tajuddin appointed a relative into a senior position in Prasarana.

Muhammad Faiz said that Bersatu is prepared for any fallout with Umno following Tajuddin’s arrest.

“Bersatu will just strengthen our machinery to face the possibility of a general election.”

He said Bersatu was ready as it had seen the threats from Umno anyway.

“Particularly from the ones in the ‘court cluster’ who have threatened to withdraw their support from Muhyiddin. It’s neither new nor surprising,” said Muhammad Faiz, referring to the Umno leaders who are currently facing trials in court for money laundering, corruption and abuse of power.

Among them are former prime minister and Umno president Najib Razak, current Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as well as former Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor. – May 29, 2021.