By Neville SpykermanMay 19, 2010
KLANG, May 19 — Maverick S.Manikavasagam, who caused a stir in PKR over “revelations of graft” in state mining subsidiary Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd, is leaving for Singapore to “cool things down.”
The outspoken Kapar MP has ruffled more than a few feathers not only in the party but in Pakatan Rakyat for using the press instead of internal party channels to call for the PKR-led Selangor government to ‘clean house’.
“I am not leaving out of fear but I have been under a lot of pressure and I want to let things cool down,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
On Sunday his two cars and home here, were splashed with red paint. He also found a threatening note besides receiving several threats over the phone last week.
The attack came in the wake of a police report he lodged against officials of the state subsidiary which oversees all lucrative sand mining activities in the state.
The officials have denied the allegations and have threatened legal action against him.
The first term MP however remains defiant and has refused to back down.
He said he will only be Singapore with his family for two days before he returns.
However Manikavasagam's various statements to the press have only further weakened PKR which have been hit by a series of defections.
Party adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is also facing his second trial for sodomy since 1999.
Manikavasagam had repeatedly lashed out Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and his administration despite the Mentri Besar’s stand from Day one for the lawmaker to lodge a police report on the allegations.
Khalid had also referred the allegations to the Select Committee for Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) which has scheduled a public inquiry on the graft allegations early next month.
However Manikavasagam had initially opposed the involvement of the state watchdog, citing the lack of confidence in Selangor Speaker Teng Chang Khim, who is also Selcat chairman.
Instead he called for the establishment of an independent committee comprising MPs and members of the public.
But such a committee would have no legal standing and would be powerless.
However he changed his stand yesterday after a meeting with Anwar and the party’s top leadership.
In a press statement today Manikavasagam also said he would be leaving it to PKR leadership to handle the issue.
He said issue was being played up deliberately to cause tension between him, the party leadership and the state government.
“My advise to this people is not to waste time calling or meeting me on this issue.”
He reiterated that he was committed to PKR and its struggle against corruption. - TMI
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