THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said it expects to complete the investigation into the awarding of a transport-related project to a startup linked to a minister’s husband within two months.

Speaking to reporters after launching an MACC programme in Kuala Lumpur today (Aug 14), MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the investigation into the matter is still ongoing and the anti-corruption watchdog is also looking into the governance issues, FMT reported.

“We have to also look into several matters to be improved in the future, notably on the governance issue when it (the project) involves relatives,” he was quoted as saying.

“I think the investigation will be wrapped up in a month or two.”

Selangor’s Demand-Responsive Transit (DRT) is a demand-based ride-sharing public transit service to improve last- and first-mile connectivity for public transport services.

It is part of the RM25 mil Selangor Mobility initiative announced in the state’s 2023 budget to improve the public transport ecosystem.

Asia Mobiliti’s participation in the DRT has caused a public uproar with several quarters demanding that the Selangor government reveal how the firm was awarded the project, and questions were raised about possible preferential treatment and conflict of interest.

Asia Mobiliti’s CEO, Ramachandran Muniandy, is the husband of Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.

On May 27, Azam said there was no wrongdoing as the project was awarded by the state government, not Yeoh’s ministry.

The outcry continued, however, with the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Centre) urging the government to enact procurement reforms.

On the same day, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said any investigation of the matter should be done transparently, adding that if a report had been lodged, there will be an investigation and an explanation should be provided.

Then on May 31, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shaari said Asia Mobiliti was only given a licence to provide the POC for the DRT project.

A POC is a trial run of sorts whereby evidence is gathered to evaluate and support the efficacy of a proposal before its full implementation.

The company had since then defended its involvement in the DRT service, saying only two companies in the country are qualified to provide the service it gives.

It said an open tender in the appointment process for the Selangor Mobility programme, a highly specialised new service, would have created a monopoly in the state.

On June 2, Yeoh said she welcomed the probe into the company, saying she wanted to see truth and vindication come out of this investigation and that Malaysia “deserves nothing less”. - Aug 14, 2024 

https://focusmalaysia.my/macc-asia-mobiliti-probe-expected-to-be-completed-within-2-months/