Misuse of Power Evident, Says Khalid

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim revealed today that "misuse of power" is evident in the letter of support controversy involving state executive councillor (exco) Ronnie Liu and former Klang Municipal councillor Tee Boon Hock.

At a press conference after the state exco meeting, Khalid said he had already viewed the draft of the state audit report on the Klang Municipal (MPK) councillor's involvement in the controversy but declined to comment further on the findings.

When asked whether state excos or councillors with local authorities are misusing their powers, Abdul Khalid said: "It is for everyone to guess."

He said he will reveal the details of the report next week.

Khalid also said he was not aware of the recent development that Liu had allegedly issued another letter of recommendation and allowed more than one special assistant to sign support letters on his behalf.

According to an online news portal today, an anonymous “insider” had provided a copy of the letter to the news portal which showed that a special assistant to Liu had signed support letters for several business entities on Liu's behalf.

The source claimed that the individual who signed the letter was a Kuala Selangor councillor and Klang DAP branch committee member.

When asked if the state will be investigating the new allegation, Khalid said: "The issuance of support letters has been very a very common feature in the past but we have made a decision that support letters for securing contracts will not be considered when awarding contracts," he said.

He reiterated that the state had already issued a circular to all local councils to disregard recommendation letters when awarding contracts and is developing guidelines on the practice of issuing such letters.

"We have also developed some other ethical practices. Today, we were briefed by our legal advisers on defining 'next of kin' and how to ensure we don't have a conflict of interest," he added.

He also said the state is identifying "criminalities" involved to lodge a police report on the hidden camera found in his office on Aug 10.

However, Khalid sidestepped a question from the press if he would be lodging a police report. "After our investigation, if we find it suitable, we will lodge a police report," he said.

He added that the state government's investigation on the matter is about to be completed and the findings will be submitted to the police. However, Khalid declined to reveal findings on the suspected perpetrators.

"We know the location of the camera's manufacturing factory, which shop it was sold at and who visited my office for meetings," he said. "I don't want to re