Patriot calls for probe into 'Ramadan Bazaar scandal'

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Patriots Association (Patriot) today called for an investigation "with full vigour of the law" against the so-called Ramadan Bazaar scandal.
"A scandal is still a scandal, however, trivial, and must be investigated with full vigour of the law," said Patriot president Brig Gen (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji.
He said in a statement that action must be taken against any guilty party and only then would Pakatan Harapan (PH) continue to enjoy the full confidence and respect of the people.
The Ramadan Bazaar scandal erupted after Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Youth leader Mohd Noorhisyam Abd Karim was accused of misusing political connections to secure 80 bazaar lots in Jalan Masjid India from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for RM6,238.40 and allegedly renting them out for as high as RM5,000 per lot through middlemen.
The name of Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun of the DAP was also mentioned with regard to the matter but Fong clarified that he had only issued a support letter to Mohd Noorhisyam and that he had insisted that except for the charges imposed by DBKL, no one else should get rental fees from the traders.
In the Patriot statement, Mohamed Arshad described the scandal as the "first red mark" for the PH government and said it was hoped that the incident would be the last for PH.
He said Patriot wanted PH MPs and state assemblymen to be extra careful in making recommendations for licences, permits, contract works, and projects.
"Similarly, civil servants in local governments, government agencies and departments need not fear politicians and oblige their letters of recommendation.
"As long as standard operating procedures are followed and decisions made for the good of the wider populace, there should be no fear," he said. — Bernama