KUALA LUMPUR: Former human resources minister V. Sivakumar today said the claim by Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) was an attempt to tarnish his reputation as a member of parliament (MP).
Awang yesterday claimed in Parliament that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission had found RM94 million in a home allegedly linked to a former DAP minister.
Sivakumar, who is the Batu Gajah MP, said the accusation was baseless and a politically motivated attack intended to damage his integrity and the reputation of the party he represents.
"The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in a statement said it has never issued any statement regarding the discovery of the RM94 million as claimed by Pendang," he said in a press conference at Parliament today.
He said MACC's statement had corrected the negative public perception against him.
"The MACC's statement clarifying this matter is greatly appreciated."
He also challenged Awang to repeat his statement outside the Dewan Rakyat.
"If he has solid evidence, he should make the accusation outside the house and be brave enough to name the individual involved," he said.
Yesterday, MACC in a statement clarified that it had never made any statements regarding the discovery of RM94 million at the residence of a former minister.
The commission said that it did not make the claims cited by Awang during a recent parliamentary session.
Meanwhile, Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor) said DAP would table a motion to refer Awang to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee.
"We firmly believe that this is a very serious issue and cannot be raised recklessly in the Dewan Rakyat.
"It is now proven that the accusations made by Pendang are indeed baseless and completely unfounded," he said in the same press conference today.
Awang in debating the 2025 Supply Bill yesterday, claimed that the money was found during a MACC raid on a former minister's house, although he did not name Sivakumar.
On April 17 last year, Sivakumar had denied a news report that claimed his house was raided by the MACC.
When asked by the media to clarify the news report, he briefly answered "No, no."