‘MILLIONS IN BAG: REPORT TO BE FILED IN HONG KONG

PKR Youth will file a report with Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) tomorrow in relation to last year's arrest of a Malaysian businessman who is a close confidante of Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman.

According to PKR Youth information chief Lee Khai Loom, the report will be lodged at the ICAC office by the wing's head Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.

On Aug 14, 2008, the businessman, who has been identified as Michael Chia, was arrested at the Hong Kong International Airport for alleged money trafficking and laundering with Singapore currency worth RM16 million before boarding a flight bound for Kuala Lumpur.

"The Hong Kong ICAC has been investigating the case since then," he said, adding that the PKR Youth report will request the watchdog to hold further investigations into the case.

"A bundle of documents which (allegedly) show illegal activities i.e illegal logging activities that may contribute to the money laundering will also be submitted.

"We strongly believe that more money is laundered in Hong Kong. Hence, we view this matter with grave concern as this involves public interest especially the people of the state of Sabah," he said in a statement.

Musa pleads innocent
Following Chia's arrest just prior to the Permatang Pauh by-election on Aug 26 which subsequently saw Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim winning the seat, DAP leaders filed a police report against the chief minister.

Musa later denied any involvement with the case.
DAP's police report was based on a Malaysia Today report which said Musa's foster brother, Chia, was arrested on his way to Kuala Lumpur carrying the RM16 million cash in a bag, purportedly for use in Barisan Nasional's Permatang Pauh by-election campaign.

"According to a reliable source in the Hong Kong police and Interpol, they had been keeping an eye on Chia for the past three years. In the end, he was caught red-handed," read the report.
The report also claimed that Chia had pleaded with the police to release him as the money belonged to Musa and he was only the 'agent' smuggling in the money.

"Musa was fuming about the arrest and was worried he will be arrested as well. To add insult to injury, Musa's bank accounts in Hong Kong were frozen immediately," the report added.
From: MALAYSIAKINI