I’m sorry, ex-MACC chief tells Khalid I’m sorry, ex-MACC chief tells Khalid

SHAH ALAM: Former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan apologised to Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Tuesday for an allegation he made in 2009.

macca I’m sorry, ex-MACC chief tells Khalid I’m sorry, ex-MACC chief tells Khalid

Khalid (right) with state executive councillor Ronnie Liu at the court. 

Ahmad Said had accused Khalid in a press conference on Feb 21, 2009, of abusing public funds in the purchase of 46 cows for the Hari Raya Korban celebration in his constituency and maintenance of his  luxury car.

“It was made in my capacity as chief commissioner (of MACC),” Ahmad Said was quoted as saying in his open apology by online news portal Malaysiakini.

He admitted that he made the statement before the investigation papers were submitted to the Attorney-General, who decides whether there is sufficient evidence to press charges.

He added that he made the statement without any ill intention to jeopardise Khalid’s reputation, image and integrity.

The apology, made jointly by Ahmad Said and the federal government, will be published on the front page of The New Straits Times and within the pages of The Star this week.

Khalid filed the suit against Ahmad Said and the federal government on April 27, 2009.

The two respondents have also agreed to pay RM10,000 in costs, said Khalid’s lawyer Sankara Nair.

The settlement was recorded before Justice Datuk Lau Bee Lan.

The three parties agreed to settle the defamation suit out of court on the judge’s recommendation on Monday.

Khalid said he did not seek damages as he did not want taxpayers’ money to be used to pay the damages.

“This development proves that the allegations were unfounded and intended to smear my reputation as a Muslim and Selangor Menteri Besar,” he said in a statement on Monday.

He hopes government servants, especially enforcement officers, will carry out their duties professionally, without influence from groups or individuals with a personal agenda.

The MACC cleared Khalid of the allegation involving the purchase of sacrificial cows in February 2010.

His lawyer Sankara had also told AFP in 2009 that Khalid bought the alleged luxury car, a Lexus SUV, before he became the Menteri Besar while the maintenance expenses for official purposes were approved by the state.

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