The 14th General Election is expected to happen anytime soon but yet, an Umno division chief was just arrested for alleged drug abuse on April 3. The politician was identified as Bandar Tun Razak Umno division chief Datuk Rizalman Mokhtar but he has claimed that it was a result of political sabotage and denied that he was doing drugs.
Source: The Star
Based on a report by MMO, Rizalman held a press conference and admitted that he was the Umno leader that was arrested during a raid at Jalan Imbi karaoke lounge on Monday (April 2). The police tested his urine and the results showed that it was positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine.
The police had conducted a joint raid on the outlet with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) after they received an anonymous tip that the karaoke joint was unlicensed. He was there with 10 other colleagues at around 2am.
Source: MMO
However, he has vehemently denied that he took any drugs and said that he was entrapped in an attempt to jeopardise his political position. “I am not sure who did it, but I believe it was done to jeopardise my candidacy of contesting in Bandar Tun Razak and tarnish my name. I also vehemently deny any wrongdoing as claimed in reports, and all I can say is I have been entrapped because I do not take drugs,” he said. Sure, if you say so!
Rizalman claimed that it was all “a set-up to tarnish his good name” while his wife, children and some Barisan Nasional grassroot supporters from Bandar Tun Razak attended the conference as a show of support. When asked why he visited the entertainment outlet, he said that he only went there to sing songs.
Source: Sinar Harian
Source: Foursquare
He said that he had visited the outlet for normal entertainment purposes as he loves to sing karaoke with his friends. Rizalman added that he managed to sing a few songs before the raid happened and believes that he wasn’t breaking any law as they did not drink alcohol.
“We abstained from alcohol and only drank coffee and soft drinks, but our urine test results returned positive. I did not hallucinate and I was normal during the arrest so I am wondering why my [test result] is positive,” he said. He feels that this is a “personal attack” on him and hopes that Umno and Barisan Nasional’s name would not be tarnished as well.
Source: Berita Harian
In the meantime, amidst calls for his resignation, the politician refuses to step down as he insists that he did not do anything wrong. He claims that he is innocent until proven guilty and will continue to serve the people for as long as Barisan Nasional allows him to do so.
The division chief says that he will use all legal channels to clear his name and is willing to cooperate with the authorities. Acting Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that this unfortunate incident has upset the party’s top leadership and they will decide the fate of the politician.
What do you think of Rizalman’s statement?
Also read: Primary Students Made to Sing UMNO Song and Wave UMNO Flags During School Event
