Car gift to Liow's wife: Case passed to MACC

Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/115380 (19/10/2009)

Police have referred to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) the report lodged against the wife of Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai pertaining to allegations contained in a letter published on the Internet. MACC's deputy chief commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamed confirmed today that police had referred the case to the MACC and that the commission was looking into it. "We have received the information from the police. We are studying the report and will investigate the matter," he told reporters. He declined to elaborate on the issue, saying there was a need to protect confidentiality in the investigations. "Be patient and don't speculate on anything. Let us do our job," he said.

Yesterday, Segambut member of parliament Lim Lip Eng lodged a police report against Liow's wife Lee Su Loo pertaining to allegations in the unsigned letter that she received a multi-purpose vehicle from a company often involved in the ministry's projects.

Liow however today rejected the allegations, claiming that the allegations were made with malicious intent. Speaking to reporters in Parliament today, the newly appointed MCA deputy president said it was a case of political assassination and was linked to the ongoing power struggle in MCA. He however refused to accuse anyone openly.

Liow lodges police report

Later in the day, Liow released a press statement to state that he had lodged a police report over the allegations made against his wife (above). The report was lodged against Internet portal Malaysia Today which first reported the allegations. "As a politician I know such allegations are politically motivated. I want the police to investigate the matter and I will fully cooperate with the police and the MACC," he said in the statement which was issued in Mandarin. He also said that he felt hurt and angry with the allegations against his wife. He also added that he will be taking legal actions against those who continued to spread the slander.

In another development, Lim told reporters that Liow had bumped into him at the toilet in the Parliament and had thanked him for making the police report. "He said the police report would help him clear his name," the DAP politician told reporters.
- Bernama