DEFECTION – WHAT A REPORTER HAS TO SAY

New Straits Times (page 6), Thursday, January 29, 2009 heading reads “ MACC looking into defection”. The source is reportedly from MACC itself, though no particular name is mentioned.

Having read the report, I am somewhat certain that the reporter, Hamidah Atan is not very truthful in what she had written. It may be a case of wanting to demonise Datuk Nasarudin Hashim for his decision to quit UMNO, or to instil fear among other UMNO parliamentary/state representatives from crossing over to the opposition. It appears odd for MACC to make such a statement, knowing fully well that they will only investigate upon a report being made. If indeed Hamidah Atan's report is true, MACC then could be seen as to be flirting with politics, and this is not what MACC is suppose to do.

Being a reporter from a government backed print media, I fully understand Hamidah's predicament. Stirring up an issue like this to discredit the opposition is Hamidah's bread and butter. Honestly, does Hamidah really believe that there is corruption involved in the defection of Datuk Nasarudin Hashim to the opposition? Even Perak UMNO liaison committee chief, Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli has not said a thing about the possibility of corruption being the cause of the defection. Come on Hamidah, I dare you to reveal your MACC reliable source, and please don't hide behind anonymity of source that is so blatantly used by reporters like you.

And with regards to Tajol Rosli's decision to quit being the state party liaison committee chairman, and take full responsibility for the defection is most honourable of him. He has taken the interest of the party first and not self. I do not know whether former MB's of Perlis, Kedah and Selangor would dare do the same.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 6.10 am Jan 30, 2009