Klang municipal councillor Tee Boon Hock has denied misusing letterheads of Selangor state exco member Ronnie Liu to obtain contracts for his cronies.

 

 

Based on the description in The Star's front page report on Tuesday entitled "Rogue councillor", Tee said he was the one that best fitted the profile since he was in his 50s and had twice stood for a state seat in Selangor in past general elections.

Furthermore, he said, he was also in the council's tender board from October 2008 to November 2010.

"I hereby like to make it known that I was the special assistant for Pandamaran assemblyman Ronnie Liu from March 2008 till Nov 18, 2009.

"During this period, I received numerous requests for assistance from the public and the constitutents. As part of the service from the assemblyman's office, I issued and signed letters of support to the Welfare Department, for the handicap, single mothers and others in need, as well as other seeking assistance from the local council," he said in his statement at a press conference here Wednesday.

He said the letters were written without obligating any government official to act improperly.

"All letters were specially qualified with the statement that conditions of the Klang Municipal Council and Selangor government must be fully adhered to, and regulations pertaining to suppliers and contracts must be followed.

"No letters were issued by me from the assemblyman's office once I was no longer the special assistant.

"I deny all allegations by The Star of corrupt practices on my part that enriched my family members or me. My family and I did not apply for any contract from the council as it would mean a direct conflict of interest," he said.

Tee said he would consult his lawyers to determine if he should file a suit against The Star, as the article had seriously damanged his and his family's reputation.

Liu, who was also present at the press conference, denied confirming the information published in the article.

However, he said, the state investigation, as announced by Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim on Tuesday, would continue.

"It is up to the state to announce the findings," he said.

Meanwhile, Selangor DAP chief Ean Yong Haan Wah said the party would not condone any improper conduct by its members.

He said the party viewed seriously any form of misuse of authority and those caught for wrongdoings would not be protected.

"We will ensure that action is taken against those who misused their powers," he said.