By Mahathir Mohd Rais
Has the case gone cold, or is it destined to be swept under the rug?
The rakyat are demanding answers and clarity in the unfolding controversy of the pilot project for demand-responsive transit (DRT) in Selangor, awarded to Asia Mobility.
This situation casts a long shadow over Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh’s commitment to fighting nepotism and cronyism, principles she has vocally championed.
The contract’s approval process involved several key figures from the Democratic Action Party (DAP), intensifying concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
The approval came from the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) under the Ministry of Transport, headed by Anthony Loke, the Secretary-General of DAP.
Further complicating matters, Ng Sze Han, a Selangor Exco member and Chairman of the Investment, Trade, and Mobility Committee—who is also affiliated with DAP—defended the procurement process. The Selangor government ultimately awarded the contract after APAD’s screening, which implies that while APAD evaluated the project, the final decision rested with the state government.
With Hannah’s colleagues, including Teo Nie Ching and Yeo Bee Yin, rallying to defend the integrity of the project, the public’s unrest only grows.
Their support raises eyebrows and questions about the consistency and sincerity of the Pakatan Harapan coalition’s stance against cronyism.
The Democratic Action Party (DAP) has been notably quiet on this matter.
Given the party’s history of advocating against favoritism and direct negotiations, their silence now raises questions about their consistency and commitment to transparency.
The rakyat are watching closely and expect a forthright stance from DAP on whether they support the principles of fair play and open governance, or if political convenience shapes their actions.
This issue strikes at the very heart of ethical governance, raising significant concerns, particularly because of Hannah’s role as Minister of Youth.
The implications are profound; it’s crucial that young Malaysians see examples of integrity and accountability, not potential paths to nepotism and cronyism.
In jurisdictions like Singapore and the UK, similar situations involving potential conflicts of interest would likely result in swift and decisive action to maintain public trust.
The honorable course would be for those implicated to step down or at least take leave from their duties pending the outcome of the investigation.
Given the gravity of the allegations and the critical role of public trust in democratic institutions, the honorable course of action for Hannah Yeoh would be to step aside or resign while the investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is underway.
This would not only uphold the moral high ground she has advocated for but also reinforce the public’s faith in the DAP’s commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring fairness.
About the author: Mahathir Mohd Rais is the Bersatu Federal Territories information chief. This is an opinion column. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of this publication.
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