KUALA LUMPUR – Former education minister Datuk Radzi Jidin has denied any alleged involvement in approving a RM80 million J-Qaf book printing project through direct negotiation, as claimed in a viral message.
The Putrajaya MP also refuted any connection between himself, his wife, and the project – adding that his wife is not of royal lineage and has no ties to ATR One & Only Enterprise, the company mentioned in the message.
“I have no involvement in the printing of J-Qaf books for preschools. I am not associated with the ATR One & Only company,” Radzi said in a statement.
“My wife has absolutely no affiliation with ATR One & Only. This fact is easily verifiable for anyone who investigates the company.”
Earlier today, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) arrested two individuals, including a former political secretary to a former minister, who were summoned to provide statements at the MACC headquarters.
Addressing these arrests, Radzi confirmed that the agency had detained his former political secretary in response to a message circulating on social media.
Radzi claimed that the MACC’s actions were orchestrated by “higher-ups” in response to his statements made in Parliament on Tuesday, and that the message was being exploited to tarnish his reputation and oppress his “innocent” former officer.
He further emphasised that the “defamatory” message should not be the sole basis for an investigation without concrete evidence, especially if it originated from an anonymous source.
“I want to make it clear that I have never sought or accepted any form of bribe, either directly or through intermediaries,” Radzi said.
He also vowed to take legal action against anyone who repeats or republishes these accusations. – September 23, 2023