SHAH ALAM, July 17: Today, the Chairman of the Election Commission (EC), Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Yusof denied that he and his deputy, Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar, are close friends with the suppliers of the indelible ink used in the 13th General Election (GE-13).
In a Short Messaging System (SMS) text to TVSelangor Abdul Aziz said that he and Wan Ahmad do not have any connection with the company disclosed by Pandan Member of Parliament, Rafizi Ramli, in the House of Representatives yesterday.
“My deputy and I vehemently deny the allegations of the Pandan MP.
“Matters associated with the administration of procurement operations are managed by the EC Secretariat.
“The EC panel only determine policy decisions and direction,” he said.
In his speech in the House of Representatives yesterday, Rafizi disclosed the name of an individual, Mohamed Salleh Mohamed Ali from Singapore, who is allegedly the owner supply company of the indelible ink which sparked controversy in the recent GE-13.
Mohamed Salleh’s company, Integrated Challenger (M) Sdn Bhd, allegedly was awarded the contract to supply the ink through direct negotiations.
The Pakatan Rakyat party and several NGOs have filed police reports against the EC by claiming that the ink can be removed by washing hands with soap after being painted on.
Rafizi claimed that Mohamed Salleh is an expert in direct negotiations and also has close tied with leaders of this country, including the EC Chairman and his Deputy.
Rafizi added that in addition to supplying the ink, the company was awarded a contract to supply other equipment for the GE-13 including caps and t-shirts, and that the company had previously been awarded contracts through direct negotiations with the Ministry of Defense.
The PKR Strategic Expert’s disclosure was made following the EC’s move to subterfuge and not disclose the name of the ink despite being repeatedly urged to do so.
Prior to this, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said that the cost of purchasing the impermanent indelible ink increased three-fold from RM2.4 million to RM7.1 million in the GE-13.
