Smells Of Corruption at Kurang Rela

Rela (People's Volunteer Corps) wants one of its officer to be investigated for corruption after the latter withdrew a police report against a businessman accused of assaulting him.

Rela operations director Mohamad Razib Buhaini said the uniformed body was caught unawares when the officer, Melvin Cheong, made the decision to "forgive" Datuk Seri Liow Soon Hee.

"While the court proceedings were in progress, Melvin had decided to withdraw all of a sudden (the police report) without any consultation with Rela. We find this suspicious, and Rela feels that the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) should look into the matter and investigate if there are elements of corruption," said Mohamad Razib at a press conference. Flanked by lawyers, Mohamad Razib spoke to reporters before heading into the MACC headquarters here to lodge a report.

Liow, 30, was charged with causing hurt to Cheong, 20, Lee Weng Poh, 28, and Leong Jun Jie, 22. The offences were allegedly committed at the compound of Kou Ong Yah Temple in Ampang on Oct 27 last year.

Cheong withdrew his report against Liow this year, resulting in the Ampang magistrate's court granting a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) to the accused on two charges.

One of the charges is under Section 323 of the Penal Code for causing hurt to Cheong, while the other is for using criminal force to deter Cheong from carrying out his duty as a Rela officer, an offence under Section 353 of the same code.

The case involving the other two victims continues for trial.

Mohamad Razib said the decision to file an MACC report against Cheong had been discussed and agreed by Rela's top leadership.

"We take this matter seriously, as we want to protect Rela's dignity and integrity," he said.

Mohamad Razib added that Cheong has been suspended from his duties temporarily.

"He is still a member of Rela from the Hulu Langat district. He has been "rested" and will not be asked to carry out any duties so that any sort of investigation will not be disrupted," he said.