RONNIE LIU REFUTES BLOGGER’S CLAIM; A REAL CURRY PUFF ISSUE BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION

Petaling Jaya 25/07/2009: Details of public spending for the Sungai Pelek constituency were released by Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu, as he refuted allegations of alleged abuse of funds by an anonymous blogger.

Reiterating that documents on the blog (http://t4tbh.blogspot.com) were doctored, he said the details of all public spending were recorded and coupled with photographic evidence.“We are following the procedures used by the previous Barisan Nasional government and we are doing more, by also having photo evidence,” he said, adding that all programmes also needed the approval of the district office before it can be implemented.

Liu claimed the blogger had doctored details obtained from the former’s blog (www.colour-blind.org), which was posted in January, to portray the image that DAP leaders were corrupt. “We don’t take commission on the allocation. The blog claimed 5% to 10% goes to the assemblyman or DAP headquarters. It is bullshit.

“If St John’s get RM30,000 from me, they get RM30,000. Not one sen less,” he told reporters. Seeking to rebut every point made by the blogger, Liu said glaring mistakes were made by the writer, including documents listing the spending for programmes conducted in January and February last year. “As you all know, we came to power in March 2008. Our first allocation (for programmes) only started in July. It took a while for the new government to come up with the funds as the previous government had used up all the allocation for the year,” he said.

He said many entries were made up, such as the purchase of hampers to the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) of Seberang Perai, Penang. On the blogger’s claim that Teoh Beng Hock left behind a hard disk containing evidence of wrongdoings by DAP leaders, Liu said he did not believe such an item existed.

On why Liu, who is Pandamaran assemblyman, was taking charge of the state allocation for Sungai Pelek, he said there were caretaker assemblymen for each constituency won by Barisan representatives. “This was decided by the state exco because we do not trust Barisan assemblymen,” he said.

Liu also explained why Sepang municipal councillor Wong Chuan How was recipient of many payments in the constituency. “Wong is not a contractor. Sometimes cheques go to my service centre first, and Wong is the account holder to my service centre. “This happens when we cannot issue cheques directly, such as (payments) for curry puffs, canopies and PA system,” he said.

Wong, who was present at the press conference, said he is also the special assistant to Liu for the Sungai Pelek constituency as well as Sungai Pelek DAP branch secretary.

Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, who was also implicated by the blogger, and Wong will lodge a report at the Shah Alam district police headquarters Sunday. The Star report in full.