Azalina takes swipe at MACC, Mokhzani

KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman was in a fighting mode yesterday, taking swipes at both Sepang International Circuit chairman Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for ticking her off in recent weeks.
Her first salvo was fired at the organisers of the 2009 Formula One Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix scheduled this weekend at the Sepang International Circuit.
"It is not true that we have sidelined the promotions for the Formula One races. We have a specific budget for that event every year, around RM3.7 million (US$1 million).
"The ministry is also the organiser of the gala dinner and we conducted various promotions during the GP to promote the races, " she said after presenting awards to staff at the ministry's Quality Day here.
Azalina said she would be attending the gala dinner today as she had been slated to give a speech there.
"I don't know whether I will be going to the races this weekend. I don't know even if I will be dead or alive in an hour," she added when asked whether she would be attending the Formula One race, which is also a tourism crowd puller.
When asked about the outcome of the investigations on her by MACC, an annoyed Azalina replied: " I don't know. I don't know anything as they haven't contacted me. I don't even know if the case is closed.
"They are so quiet now. It is really getting on my nerves and I am beginning to get angry. Before the Umno general assembly, they (officers) met me every day. I even thought they were in love with me. Now, they are so quiet. They haven't contacted me at all. "
The Pengerang member of parliament was investigated by MACC after her political secretary was caught by officers carrying RM70,000 in the trunk of his car. The officers were probing whether the money was to pay off delegates at the Umno general assembly which was just around the corner then.
Azalina reiterated that she would quit her cabinet position, like the other ministers, on April 8, and has left her political fate solely to Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Azalina added that her failure to retain her seat in the Umno supreme council was not a determining factor that would make or break her career as a cabinet member.
"There have been many people who have lost but are still made leaders. One such example is the president of MIC (Datuk Seri Samy Vellu). He lost his parliamentary seat but he is still heading a political party. "
Meanwhile, in Putrajaya, a source close to MACC said investigation papers (IPs) on alleged corruption and abuse of power involving Azalina had not been handed over to the commission's headquarters here.
"It is still with the Federal Territory MACC. If it is still there, that means investigations have not been completed.
"All IPs will have to be forwarded to the head office before it decides on its next course of action, including prosecution," said the source.

MACC denies dragging its feet on Azalina probe

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has denied that it is dragging its feet in the investigations into allegations of money politics involving Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
Its investigation division director, Datuk Shukri Abdul, said that on the contrary, the MACC was conducting the investigation professionally but had to adhere to the procedures and the law.
"It is not even one month yet, we have not been slow in our investigation. Every case is thoroughly and fairly investigated before any action is taken," he told Bernama when contacted Friday.
Azalina, who was investigated by the MACC after her political secretary was caught by officers carrying RM70,000 in the trunk of his car, claimed that MACC had been quiet of late.
"Before the Umno general assembly, they (officers) met me everyday," she was quoted as saying.

tunku : i guess maybe it's the hormones effect. she gets irritated and mad so fast nowadays.the best thing for azalina is to quit her post.she said that maybe macc are in love with her, i don't think so.they will think 1000 times before they do that.Malaysia needs a good tourism minister to boost our tourism industry further.