Mohd Khir and wife to be questioned

Former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and his wife Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik have been called up to appear before the state’s Special Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat).
The duo would be among 11 witnesses summoned to explain the more than RM1mil sponsorship received by the Wives of Selangor State Assemblymen and MPs’ Charity and Welfare Organisation (Balkis) from state-owned and private companies.
Zaharah was Balkis chairman during Mohd Khir’s tenure as mentri besar; he himself was cleared on Tuesday of any wrongdoing in an Umno probe into money politics.
The public hearing, the first ever inquiry conducted by a state legislative assembly in the country, will take place from March 23 to 31.
Selcat chairman Teng Chang Khim, also the Selangor State Assembly Speaker, said the order to attend the inquiry had been served to all witnesses except one, who is currently overseas.
Three main companies, involved in the sponsorships, were also expected to be called up to give their explanations at the hearing.
He said Selcat had compiled evidence and called 11 meetings since it began its probe into Balkis last May.
Some 200 people, comprising government officials, non-governmental organisation representatives, members of the public and journalists, were expected to attend the inquiry before the seven-member Selcat team.
Teng said there was no offender or accused in Selcat’s inquiry or its initial investigations.
“Those who are being called up are only witnesses requested to come forward and help Selcat identify weaknesses in order for us to strengthen the state’s administration.
“The outcome of the hearing will be tabled during the next state assembly sitting,” he told a press conference at the sidelines of the state legislative assembly Tuesday.
The police or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency Commission (MACC) cannot use information gathered at the inquiry against any of the witnesses, claimed Teng.
He added this was because the witnesses were protected by the immunity of the House guaranteed by the state’s legislation.
A motion to set up Selcat was passed during the state legislative assembly sitting in May last year to investigate matters related to state administration.
Selcat has also initiated investigations into the alleged hasty spending of annual allocations by previous elected representatives before the 12th general election, said Teng.
Teng said the public hearing could be viewed live on the state government’s official website at www.selangor.gov.my