JUst For The Record

Inview of the second Pause due to Prergnancy run in yesterday's "A Pregnant pause", what follows is Just For The Record as is good in Journalism or blogging practice, in giving Right-Of-REply equal prominence as is practically possible. Credit goes to the NST Online:


Top politician in graft storm:
I'm the one
05 Mar 2007


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Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum admits allegations are directed at him and says it’s malicious slander. "I'm ready to be investigated. I'm innocent and have nothing to hide."


KUALA LUMPUR: The senior politician at the centre of bribery allegations over the release of Emergency Ordinance detainees has protested his innocence and said he was ready to face any ensuing investigation. Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum described the allegations, sent anonymously to the Anti-Corruption Agency and posted on the Internet, that he took more than RM5 million in inducements as "malicious slander". "Anyone can make allegations on the web. Wild accusations have been made against the prime minister, the deputy prime minister and other politicians," he told the New Straits Times. The posting on the Internet, whose source is unknown, said Johari had corruptly revoked preventive detention orders issued on three men suspected of gangland activities including loan-sharking, extortion, prostitution, assault and illegal gambling. At a Press conference earlier in Jitra, Kedah, he said the trio were released after he had examined reports from the police and upon the advice of his legal officers. "I did not make these judgments lightly. The allegations on that website are unfounded. "There is no hanky-panky in this matter. I am always willing to be investigated because whatever we did was according to procedures." Newspapers reported yesterday that the ACA had begun a probe into the allegations but Johari said he had not been approached by investigators. "Everyone detained under Section 3(1) of the Emergency Ordinance has files. There is nothing to hide," he said after launching the Kubang Pasu Mothers Multi-Purpose Co-operative Sdn Bhd’s new building yesterday. Federal CID chief Datuk Christopher Wan Soo Kee confirmed the trio had been freed, although he declined to say whether their releases occurred at the time or in the circumstances alleged in the posting. He said police were assisting the ACA in the investigations but did not elaborate. Johari said he had "no clue" why he had been targeted. "The police should take charge of this case and find out who is behind the website and why he posted such claims and allegations." Johari said his credibility had been affected by the allegations and regretted that Internet posters had been allowed to get away with their often damaging innuendoes about the government and its office-holders. The deputy minister, who was appointed to the ministry in February last year, said Emergency Ordinance procedures did not grant him powers he could easily abuse. "How is a person detained under preventive laws? The police investigate the case and submit the file to the ministry. "The file is then reviewed and assessments have to be made based on interviews with independent witnesses and community leaders. "If a person is sent to the detention centre based on the final assessment, he can submit an appeal to the advisory board after three months. "I also receive appeals from leaders of political parties and I have to take all these into consideration before making a decision." Johari said the advisory board heard 48 cases last month, releasing 31 detainees and placing the remaining 17 under restricted residence even though he had signed orders for the 48 to be held in custody. "More detainees have been freed by the advisory board than the ministry," he said. "We must make it clear that the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969 is a preventive law, not a charge. "In high-profile cases, police should investigate and compile sufficient evidence to charge the suspect as the EO is not a shortcut." Johari said there had been delays lately in the submission of EO files, resulting in some of them being sent back to Bukit Aman. "I am disappointed with the police for giving me files at the last minute. I only have three or four days to scrutinise the cases and decide whether to send these people to Simpang Renggam as they would not be brought to court." Johari said there were many cases where the police released Section 3(1) detainees without informing the ministry.




Police want open, fair probe by Alang Bendahara


KUALA LUMPUR: Police want an open and fair investigation into allegations that Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum had taken bribes. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan, asked to comment on the Anti-Corruption Agency’s probe into the allegations, said this was necessary as the integrity of the police force was also being questioned.

"We cannot say the allegation contained in several websites is baseless, until the investigation is completed to ascertain this. "The police want a fair and thorough investigation as there had been a lot of finger-pointing. This is leading to some confusion," said Musa when contacted yesterday. He said ACA officials had also approached the police for help in the investigations. Johari had said in Jitra, Kedah, that last month alone, the ministry’s advisory board had released 31 of the 48 detainees scheduled to be sent to the Simpang Renggam Detention Centre because police investigations were flawed. Johari said there was insufficient evidence to detain them and, of late, the police had also not adhered to the standard operating procedure in conducting their investigations. Musa said it was too early to comment on this as the investigation was still under way. "What I can say is, if the investigation showed weaknesses on the part of the police, then we will take the necessary action to rectify the problem and take disciplinary action against those involved." Speaking to Bernama, Musa said the police were seeking the help of bloggers who posted information pertaining to Johari’s case. He said the police wanted to know how the bloggers gathered the information and the history of the allegations, adding that the police would be fair to all in the matter. "If they can provide us with vital information, it will benefit our investigation. We invite the bloggers to come forward and assist us to ensure a smooth investigation." The police were informed of at least two websites that had posted the information.




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