'I rejected millions to defect, why take bribes worth thousands now?'

Perak exco Abdul Yunus Jamhari says he rejected a multi-million ringgit offer to change parties in 2009, when the then-Pakatan Rakyat state government was toppled through defections.

As Yunus told The Star, it therefore does not make sense for him to try to solicit bribes of just thousands of ringgit now.

"I vehemently deny these accusations," said the exco, who is accused of attempting to get kickbacks from two companies applying for land in Kerian.

“My service centre officers and I meet regularly. There would be a lot of documents, including official letters, to be discussed to solve various problems faced by the people.

“I would share the information with my officers within my capacity as the state representative for official matters. Is that an issue?

“The complainant himself was my former special officer,” he said, referring to Parit Buntar PKR committee member Beh Yong Kean.

Yunus said he would report those involved in the allegations against him to the PKR disciplinary committee.

He added that he will also lodge a report with the Education Ministry against his former special officer – now a schoolteacher – purportedly involved in an attempt to slander him.

'Beh owned an illegal factory'

Last Saturday, Beh lodged a police report alleging that Yunus had instructed him to solicit commission from two companies.

Beh also alleged that the exco leaked documents protected under the Official Secrets Act 1972 to him for this purpose.

Yunus denied the allegation, and made a counter-claim that Beh owned an illegal factory that was facing enforcement action.

He also claimed that the allegation against him was also due to his association with PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali, who is himself implicated in a sex video scandal.

“I’m convinced that this despicable allegation was made to assassinate my political career, and it began with the PKR elections last year, due to my strong stance in supporting Azmin.

“This evil conspiracy is now being continued to topple me as Perak exco member and sabotage the Perak menteri besar’s leadership,” he said.

Yesterday, Perak PKR chief Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak ticked off Yunus for crying conspiracy, saying that if he is innocent, the police investigation will show as much.

“I think that is a foolish statement from Yunus. It is strange that he responds to the accusation by claiming conspiracy,” he told Malaysiakini.