I’m not a fugitive, investigations had political undertones

Press statement

I, Mansoor Bin Saat, a director and shareholder of NERS Sdn Bhd (NERS) wish to make the following statements in response to a Press Release issued by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) dated 7 th August 2023.

1. That Press Release has painted me in the worst of lights: that I am running away to avoid prosecution. There is no greater falsehood than that.

2. I am not a fugitive. I am also not on the run. The Investigating Officer of the MACC despite knowing the truth has sought to cast aspersions on my integrity. My leaving the country, which was done lawfully, is being turned against me, as a sign of guilty conduct. I reject that false narrative with all the forces at my disposal.

3. I must state that in mid-March 2023 I was called by the MACC. I was told that my assistance was required in an investigation on an alleged bribery of government officers in relation to the change of the receiving account for the concession proceeds from the Home Ministry (KDN) to the NERS’s operation account instead of to the scheduled and sanctioned project account. I cooperated fully. It took 3 days. MACC did not show to me any evidence to support the allegation of bribery or corrupt practices.

4. During the 3 days investigation, a senior officer of MACC came to me and persuaded me to transfer NERS’ shares registered in my name to a new shareholder of S5 Systems Sdn Bhd (S5), NERS’ operating company at the material time. It was impressed upon me that if I agree to the transfer, my ordeal will be over. A few days after the investigation, I received a letter drafted by S5 for me to effect the transfer of my shares in NERS to S5. It is obvious that what I am going through now is caused by my refusal to transfer the shares.

5. In my subsequent meeting with the MACC Investigating Officer, the officer indicated to me that the offence against me now would be for authorising the change of the receiving account of the concession proceeds from the company’s project account to the company’s operation account and the subsequent transfers of the money from the operation account. The officer did not tell me when I would be charged in court. I maintain that there is no offence committed as the transactions were lawfully made and I did not personally benefit. That the MACC deemed it to be against the law is something beyond my comprehension.

6. I further state that all the decisions made in respect of the NER’s accounts were made in its best interest considering the impact of the Covid19 on the financial health of the company (which was not spared by the Covid19) but without affecting its obligations to bondholders and other creditors. The amount of funding made by shareholders to NERS to meet its obligations throughout the contract or concession period was also considered. I vehemently deny any suggestion that there was embezzlement of funds from  the company. The record will speak for itself. I earnestly believe the MACC has no jurisdiction over the transactions involving the company as there is no element of either abuse of power or bribery involved. It is simply a matter of normal commercial transactions.

7. After regularly attending to my bail obligations, I left the country in mid-May 2023 for a business trip, and in between, for a badly needed holiday break. I was subsequently contacted by the Investigating Officer of the MACC, and I responded in writing by a letter dated 03/06/2023. In the letter I stated that I was travelling overseas for business and would return once the business matters have been attended to. I have not received a formal reply from MACC.

8. Subsequently, the Investigating Officer insisted, on an urgent basis, that I come back during the height of the political campaign for the State Elections scheduled for mid-August 2023. I have stated that there was unfinished business which required my attention and that I would return in due course.

9. Following my refusal to come back before the State Elections, I discovered and experienced the following: –

(a) My personal’s bank accounts are frozen without notice and/or cause;

(b) A travel ban has been imposed on me as my passport has been classified as such by the Immigration Department;

(c) My wife’s personal bank accounts have also been frozen without notice and/or cause. My wife has got nothing to do at all with the matter under investigation by MACC;

(d) I am being harassed relentlessly by the officers of MACC with threats of vilification and character assassination.

10. Any statement that I am not contactable is not true. The Investigating Officer in charge of the investigation is in the know of my whereabouts.

11. I had cooperated and will continue to render assistance in any investigation as required within the legal framework.

12. I will however not allow myself to be bullied into submission and to part with my shares to benefit some corporate players close to some MACC officers.

13. I state that I am being unlawfully implicated and now suffering as a collateral damage because of my business association with Dato’ Sri Muhammad Adlan Berhan. I believe that there is a political undertone in this entire episode which is very unfortunate. I am a businessman as well as an advocate & solicitor who has business associations with a lot other people and I am surprised that my association with Dato Sri is singled out.

14. To-date I am at a loss as to why I am being persecuted. The Media Release seeking assistance to locate me is in bad taste and is totally unnecessary. It serves to enforce my belief that there is an ongoing effort at smearing and assassinating characters and reputations, including mine.

15. I state emphatically that I am innocent. I assert my right to fairness and reject any attempt by MACC to use the media to influence public opinion of me or any other persons as being guilty of some offences and in the process to shore up its flagging reputation or to appease the political dispensation. I am saddened that the MACC is being weaponised in such deplorable fashion.

16. I have full faith in our judicial system to protect my Constitutional rights.

17. I will return to Malaysia to face prosecution if any, but I will not do so as long as I am being persecuted.

18. I am in consultation with my solicitors on the Press Release as well as my next course of action including for the launching of a suit against the MACC for the abuse of power and misfeasance in public office.

Mansoor bin Saat
Dated this 16 th August 2023.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Agenda Daily.