All Malaysians must be incensed and outraged by Zahid’s contemptible justification for the immediate and punitive transfer of two MACC directors to PM’s Office

All Malaysians must be incensed and outraged by the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi’s contemptuous and contemptible justification for the immediate and punitive transfer of two Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) directors to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Zahid claimed that the transfers of the two MACC directors, special operations division director Datuk Bahri Mohamad Zin and strategic communications director Datuk Rohaizad Yaakob were not linked to a police investigation against them, and that it was ordinary for public servants to be transferred at any time and to any other agency.

He said: “It has completely nothing to do with the action by the Royal Malaysia Police against the two senior officers; in fact, I think it is only an administrative matter conducted by the Public Services Department.

“Every government officer is subject to circulars and general orders, and there is even an oath signed during their appointment.

“As such, I don’t think this issue should be politicised.”

Last month, a Cabinet Minister and newly-minted BN Director of Strategic Communications retorted that he was “not born yesterday” in response the publication The Edge’s statement that it was not politically motivated – which prompted a public response that the Minister was completely out of his depths.

Zahid’s explanation and justification for the transfers of the two MACC directors to the PM’s Office shows his utter contempt for the Malaysian public, treating Malaysians with no thinking and critical ability as if they were born yesterday and dismissing Malaysians as utterly irrelevant and immaterial as far as government actions are concerned.

The explanation given by Zahid for the transfer of Bahri and Rohaizad is sheer garbage, displaying unjustified contempt for all MACC personel in general and the two MACC directors in particular.

Is this because Zahid regards himself as Minister for the police and not responsible for the MACC? If so, why has be accepted the responsibilities of Deputy Prime Minister to represent all interests not only in government, but also in the country?

Can Zahid explain the most touching WhatsApp message by the MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull from the United States last night urging Putrajaya to rescind the transfer orders for Bahri and Rohaizad, and his offering to take their places instead?

Shukri had said: “Please return both of my officers immediately. Take me as a replacement. They did what they did and acted based on my instructions.”

Is this sheer emotionalism without any basis of fact or reality?

Malaysians had expected more from Zahid!

Zahid should not mock Shukri or even Elia Bahru, who in her facebook lamented the injustice done to her father, Bahri Mohamad Zin, despite his decades-long battle against corruption.

She wrote in a FaceBook posting:

“My father, Bahri Muhamad Zin, served MACC (previously Anti-Corruption Agency) for 33 years.

“For decades, he carried out his duties to investigate and arrest those who were out to swindle funds illegally from the rakyat.

“He and his division succeeded in saving hundreds of millions from going missing.”

She added that because of her father’s commitment, Bahri’s family had to endure all kinds of harassment.

“For as long as he worked as a MACC officer, our family was constantly threatened, hit with black magic, disturbed, boycotted, scolded, and he (Bahri) experienced even more.”

She also questioned what purpose her father would serve by being transferred to the PM’s Office.

“As long as I have known Bahri, he is good at three things – teaching religion, investigating, proving, arresting bad people and planting trees.

“When my dad was transferred to PMD, I started thinking what they (the authorities) wanted him to really do?

“Teach people at PMD religion? Plant trees at PMD and use the produce to pay the bills of dignitaries?

“Or do they want him to expose more of them?”

What is Zahid’s response to Eila’s lament?

Zahid should make amends. The least he should do is to ensure that injustices are not done to Bahri and Rohaizad and their transfer orders rescinded.