The action taken on Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) officers for alleged corruption in connection with recent viral videos is a triumph for the people, says Asri Janggut.
Hot Burger Malaysia founder Mohd Asri Hamid – better known as Asri Janggut – said the action taken by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to arrest several MBSA officers proved that justice has prevailed.
“It is a triumph for the rakyat. It will surely lead to a better outcome for everyone,” he told reporters after being questioned by Bukit Aman CID’s Special Investigation Unit on Friday (Aug 14).
Asri, whose viral videos on alleged illegal gambling and sales of contraband cigarettes in Sungai Buloh caused a string of actions by the authorities, went to Bukit Aman to have his statement recorded Friday.
Asked if his actions had jeopardised the business of other traders in Sungai Buloh, Asri hoped the other traders could be patient in such trying times.
“Hopefully, the hardship we are facing now will lead to better things in the future. Currently, Sungai Buloh is free from illegal gambling and the sale of contraband cigarettes,” he added.
Meanwhile, Asri’s lawyer Datuk Shaharudin Ali said his client spent about 90 minutes being questioned by investigators.
“He was being questioned in regard to the viral videos on illegal gambling and his statement that the police and Armed Forces personnel did not perform their prayers. The questioning was done professionally, and my client cooperated fully with the police,” he said.
Asri will go to Bukit Aman again at 3pm Friday for further questioning, he added.
On the issue of insulting the police and Armed Forces by alleging that they did not perform their prayers, Shaharudin said he was thankful to Armed Forces chief Tan Sri Affendi Buang for accepting Mohd Asri’s apology.
“We hope the IGP will follow suit as well. My client was just reminding fellow Muslims to pray but maybe the words used were not suitable,” he said.
Asri had earlier arrived at Bukit Aman at 10.25am Friday for his statement to be taken.
Another of Asri’s lawyer, Ahmad Amzar Ahmad Azlan remarked the arrests made on MBSA enforcement officers occurred after people like Asri exposed the truth.
“We can see now that after the issue was exposed, arrests were made. So, the viral exposé was not done in vain. If there was no exposé, we would not know when the problem would end,” he said.
“And this is just Sungai Buloh in Selangor. We do not know about other places in other states. We urge more informants to come forward to give information about abuse of power, graft and other things,” he said.