Wednesday, 17 July 2013 19:08

Shahidan has "indirectly" my indelible ink expose' - Rafizi

Written by Malaysia Chronicle

MP for Pandan Rafizi Ramli was in a jubilant mood on Wednesday. His latest expose seems to have hit bulls-eye again. Shahidan Kassim, the minister in the Prime Minister's Office, "indirectly" confirmed his accusation made a day ago that the supplier of the controversial 'indelible' ink used in Malaysia's recent general election had links to top officials in the Election Commission and may have improperly obtained the contracts through direct tenders. "He (Shahidan) confirmed it indirectly. The minister mentioned the names of several companies which received contracts, he did not name the company that obtained the contract for the indelible ink but the firm that received the hat and T-shirt contracts," Rafizi, who is also the PKR strategy director, told a press conference at the Parliament lobby. "The information is the same as the information I have. The firm that got the hat or the Tshirt is Nash Ventures Sdn Bhd and this firm although not officially linked to Mohamed Salleh Mohamed Ali has the same registered office address and his wife is the director in this company. So this is what I mean there are 3 companies that have direct negotiations with the Election Commission - one on indelible ink, one on T-shirt and one on hats. "I did not name these earlier because we know the minister will not confirm the actual company (which supplied the indelible ink) but he will give the names of the other companies. So the fact that Nash Ventures has been confirmed as one of the companies confirms what our sources revealed to us that there were 3 companies controlled by Mohamad Salleh. Going by the minister's answer, I don't see them revealing any information anytime soon on (the indelible ink supplier) on the grounds that it is for security.

"So it is up to the EC to recapture whatever credibility it has, just give the full breakdown and tell us the full details. I had revealed the name of the company that we believe supplied the indelible ink which is Integrated Challenger Sdn Bhd because we know they won't reveal the identity of the ink supplier but will just give the names of the companies for the T-shirt and hat." Direct tenders, refusal to give details Malaysia's controversial Election Commission has been accused, with all 7 members of its top panel slapped with a lawsuit by the Opposition, of defrauding voters by using 'indelible' ink that could be washed off within hours. By failing to use indelible ink containing sufficiently high amount of silver nitrate, the EC had exposed the May 5 ballot to multiple voting and electoral fraud, Rafizi and the Pakatan Rakyat coalition had claimed. On Tuesday, Rafizi had exposed the identity of the ink supplier, alleging the firm controlled by Mohamed Salleh - had links to the top government and EC officials. The supplier, Integrated Challenger Malaysia Sdn Bhd, was allegedly awarded the RM6.9 million contract to supply the indelible ink through direct negotiati "According to internal information from the EC itself, the contracts to supply t-shirts, caps and ink were given through direct negotiation from the companies that are controlled by one person. There are three companies, controlled by the same person, one of it is Integrated Challenger and there are two more, that came in using the names of his staff," Rafizi had said. Rafizi had also revealed there were also other companies controlled by the same person that were involved in other government contracts including the Defence Ministry. "He (Mohamed Salleh) is an expert in direct negotiation; he gets the ink, defence and also other government contracts as well, because he is close to government leaders, including the EC chairman and deputy chairman," said Rafizi. Scapegoat and was the ink "doomed" to fail When told by a reporter that the Election Commission had reportedly disclaimed responsibility, saying that the ink contract was negotiated by the EC secretary, Rafizi's response was: "We will wait for the EC secretariat (to make a response) then. Someone will be the scapegoat." His colleague, Nurul Izzah the MP for Lembah Pantai, had told Malaysia Chronicle that Rafizi's latest expose' only "proved" Pakatan's lawsuit against the EC panel. "Today we also heard that the person Mohamed Salleh is indeed the supplier (of the indelible ink used in the May 5 general election) and just by virtue of the refusal of the

Speaker Shahidan Kassim to deny or say otherwise brings home exactly why we must pursue the case, why we must pursue convictions because we cannot allow them to get away with what they have done. "If we have a supplier given (the deal to supply indelible ink) by direct tender, we must ascertain what was paid using taxpayers' money, was it based according to specifications, was it doomed to fail due to the conspiracy that exist between the EC, the supplier and the people colluding with them. I think the recent expose's bit by bit have really proven our case and I do hope the courts will be empowered to do the right thing. If found liable, the EC panel would be discharged in disgrace and a new general election called. All 7 EC members would also have to bear damages if awarded by the court, plus legal costs as well the costs of holding a new general election. The 7 members are chairman Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof, deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar, Mohamad Ramji Ali, P Manogran, Christopher Wan Soo Kee, Md Yusop Mansor and Abdul Aziz Khalidin. Shahidan had in a previous written reply told the Dewan Rakyat (Lower House) that RM6.9 million had been spent on the ink, with an additional RM200,000 spent on transportation, packaging and storage, bringing the total expenditure to RM7.1 million.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zdMUbdlQb4g http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TQm7CqrKenk

No more contracts for indelible ink supplier, says minister

BY IDA LIM JULY 17, 2013 UPDATED: JULY 17, 2013 04:46 PM File photo of a voter showing the indelible ink on her finger after casting her ballot in the May general election. File photo of a voter showing the indelible ink on her finger after casting her ballot in the May general election. KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 Putrajaya will no longer be handing any contracts to the supplier of the flawed indelible ink used in Election 2013, minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said today, citing the need to prevent manipulation. He also said the indelible ink supplier had been referred to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), saying that he will let the anti-graft agency take charge of the issue. The supplier, first of all, this case has been referred to SPRM, let SPRM handle it, the minister in the Prime Ministers Department said, referring to the MACC by its Malay initials.

Shahidan said there was a need for the details of the ink, which was used to prevent electoral fraud, to remain a secret, adding that everyone would rush to the firm when they found out it was the ink supplier. Certainly this company will no longer be given tenders, he told Parliament in his winding-up speech today. Have to get someone else to supply the indelible ink, so that the ink will be a secret of SPR, to ensure theres no manipulation by any quarters, the Arau MP said, referring to the Election Commission (EC) by its Malay initials. Earlier he spoke of the tightly-guarded details of the ink, saying that even senior officials of the EC do not know the colour of the ink. He said only the commissioners have knowledge of the inks colour. Shahidan did not disclose the suppliers identity or confirm the disclosure of the name made by PKRs Rafizi Ramli in Parliament yesterday. When met in the Parliament lobby today, Rafizi claimed that Shahidan had indirectly confirmed the identity of the indelible ink supplier despite the minister not explicitly referring to any names in his speech. Yesterday, Rafizi told Parliament that the contract for the indelible ink was awarded via direct negotiation to a businessman named Mohd Salleh Mohd Ali, whom he alleged was a close associate of the ECs chief and deputy chief. But EC deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar today denied knowing the alleged supplier and said that he had not played any role in the purchase of the indelible ink. I dont know him and I dont have anything to do with buying the ink, Wan Ahmad told The Malay Mail Online today. EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof has distanced himself from any link to Mohd Salleh, saying procurement of the ink was handled by the commissions secretary Datuk Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria. But when contacted by The Malay Mail Online today, Kamaruddin declined to comment, merely saying: I dont want to talk to reporters. The indelible ink, which became a national scandal after voters complained about it coming off easily with household detergents or soap and water, cost about RM7 million, according to Shahidan. The indelible ink fiasco is now the subject of a civil suit, which was filed last Monday by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) against ECs seven commissioners, including Wan Ahmad and Abdul Aziz. The opposition coalition is suing the EC officials for allegedly practising fraud through the use of the indelible ink, which is meant to prevent double-voting, in the 13th general election and wants the High Court here to order fresh polls in all 222 federal constituencies. PR has noted that it had lost about 30 federal seats with less than 10 per cent of the votes, saying in its statement of claim: Therefore, even if a small percentage of dishonest voters were able to wrongfully vote more than once because of the deliberate failure of the EC to implement indelible ink, they were sufficient to affect the results in a significant number of seats.

Barisan Nasional (BN) maintained its grip on power in the May 5 polls by winning 133 federal seats to PRs 89, 21 seats more than the required 112 seats to form a simple majority.

Menteri: Nama pembekal dakwat SPR didedahkan

Zulaikha Zulkifli 1:51PM Jul 17 2013 Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim enggan mengesahkan pihak yang disebut oleh MP Pandan Rafizi Ramli semalam merupakan pemilik dan syarikat pembekal dakwat kekal yang digunakan pada pilihan raya umum 5 Mei. Shahidan tetap enggan mengesahkan perkara itu, walau diasak berkali-kali oleh MP Pakatan Rakyat, termasuk Rafizi ketika menteri berkenaan berucap dalam persidangan Dewan Rakyat hari ini. Katanya, kes berhubung perolehan dakwat kekal itu juga kini disiasat Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM). Kes ini dah rujuk pada SPRM. Biar SPRM yang uruskan. Syarikat yang bekal, saya serah pada SPRM untuk mereka lihat bagaimana mereka boleh cerita pada umum," kata Shahidan. Ahli Parlimen Arau itu bagaimanapun berkata, tender untuk membekal dakwat berkenaan tidak lagi akan diberikan kepada syarikat sama memandangkan "nama syarikat pembekal dakwat kekal telah didedahkan". Menurutnya, ia bagi menjaga kerahsiaan dakwat tersebut agar tidak diketahui umum. "Syarikat ini tidak akan diberi tender lagi. Bila orang dah tahu ini syarikatnya, tak bolehlah. Biar orang lain pula yang ambil alih sebab dakwat ini biar menjadi rahsia kepada SPR." Rafizi semalam mendakwa syarikat yang membekal dakwat berkenaan ialah Integrated Challenger (M) Sdn Bhd. Malaysiakini telah cuba menghubungi syarikat berkenaan dan turut mengunjungi pejabat syarikat tersebut di Shah Alam hari ini untuk mendapatkan reaksi berhubung dakwaan berkenaan namun masih belum berhasil. Dalam ucapannya hari ini, menteri berkenaan juga menafikan bahawa syarikat yang disebut oleh Rafizi semalam turut membekal topi dan baju-T untuk kegunaan Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR). "Syarikat yang bekal dakwat ini bukan syarikat sama membekalkan topi dan baju-T seperti yang disebut Pandan. Semalam Pandan kata dikawal oleh syarikat yang sama," katanya. Shahidan turut menamakan tiga buah syarikat pembekal topi dan lima buah syarikat yang membekal baju-T tersebut. Kenyataannya itu bagaimanapun disangkal Rafizi yang mencelah dan mendakwa syarikat pembekal dakwat kekal dan pembekal topi dikawal oleh orang yang sama. "Syarikat bekal topi dikawal oleh orang yang sama (bekal dakwat kekal)," kata Rafizi. Shahidan yang enggan mengalah kemudiannya meminta agar Rafizi membuktikan dakwaan tersebut terlebih dahulu.

Turut menyertai perbahasan ialah Tian Chua (PKR-Batu) yang meminta Shahidan menerangkan sama ada kontrak membekalkan dakwat tersebut dibuat secara rundingan terus atau tidak. Mengulas perkara itu, Shahidan memberi jaminan bahawa perolehan berkenaan dijalankan mengikut prosedur. "Kalau tak ikut prosedur sudah pasti dia akan ditangkap. Semua tahu pegawai kerajaan paham tentang prosedur. "Tidak ada siapa berani sekarang ambil kontrak kerajaan secara runding terus," katanya lagi.

Kronologi berhubung dakwat kekal

The Malaysian Insider Mon, Jul 15, 2013

Oleh The Malaysian Insider Tiada tempat dalam dunia ini yang mempunyai terlalu banyak kontroversi berhubung penggunaan dakwat kekal dalam pilihan raya. Apakah kandungannya? Berapa banyak nitrat perak? Mengapa ianya mudah ditanggalkan? Siapakah pengedar? Ini adalah persoalan yang timbul semenjak 2011, dua tahun sebelum pilihan raya umum pada 5 Mei. The Malaysian Insider menyiarkan semula beberapa kenyataan yang dibuat oleh Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) mengenai dakwat kekal. - 19 Disember, 2011: Pengerusi SPR Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof mengumumkan dakwat kekal akan digunakan dalam PRU13 untuk menghalang pengundian berulang. Beliau memberi jaminan dakwat akan mengandungi 4 hingga tujuh peratus nitrat perak yang boleh tahan sehingga tujuh hari. SPR mengumumkan penggunaan dakwat kekal selepas didesak oleh Bersih dan parti pembangkang. - 14 Mac, 2012: SPR mengatakan akan terdapat dua dakwat kekal dengan warna berlainan untuk membezakan pengundi awal dan pengundi biasa. - 24 Mei, 2012: Bersih mahu tahu mengapa peraturan yang dibuat SPR berhubung penggunaan dakwat kekal tidak dilanjutkan kepada penggundi awal. Bersih juga mempersoalkan keberkesanan meletakkan satu garis dakwat kekal di jari berbanding mencelupkan jari ke dalam dakwat kekal.

- 11 April, 2013: Abdul Aziz memberi jaminan kepada orang awam dakwat kekal yang akan digunakan dalam PRU13 akan berbeza dengan dakwat-dakwat di luar sana bagi menggelakkan ianya disalahgunakan. 15 Julai, 2013. - 30 April: Pengundian awal bermula dan beberapa laporan polis dibuat berhubung dakwat kekal yang mudah ditanggalkan dengan menggunakan gel dan sabun. Mendengar tentang ini, Abdul Aziz mengatakan oleh kerana laporan polis sudah dibuat, terpulang kepada pihak polis untuk menyiasatnya. Ini bertentangan dengan kenyataan Abdul Aziz sebelum ini yang mengatakan dakwat tahan selama tujuh hari. - 1 Mei: SPR membuat ujian yang mengatakan dakwat kekal tahan lebih lama jika botol digoncangkan terlebih dahulu sebelum digunakan berbanding yang tidak digoncangkan. - 3 Mei: Naib Presiden PKR Chua Tian Chang dan Nurul Izzah Anwar menggesa SPR untuk menghantar dakwat kekal untuk diuji akan tetapi SPR enggan. - 4 Mei: Abdul Aziz mengatakan dakwat yang digunakan di Malaysia hanya mengandungi 1 peratus nitrat perak. - 5 Mei: Ribuan pengundi membuat laporan polis semasa hari mengundi oleh kerana dakwat kekal boleh ditanggalkan selepas beberapa jam mengundi. Timbalan Pengerusi SPR Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar mengatakan beliau tidak boleh mengesahkan kualiti dakwat kekal. Abdul Aziz mengatakan Kementerian Kesihatan menghantar surat kepada SPR menggesa nitrat perak tidak boleh melebihi satu peratus untuk tujuan kesihatan. Akan tetapi kenyataan ini dinafikan oleh Kementerian Kesihatan pada 6 Jun. Sehingga hari ini, SPR masih belum menunjukkan surat Kementerian Kesihatan itu. - 7 Mei: Wan Ahmad mengatakan SPR menyimpan dakwat kekal dibalai polis untuk keselamatan dan oleh kerana disimpan dengan terlalu lama, kandungan dakwat itu menjadi semakin nipis. - 13 Mei: Abdul Aziz menyalahkan kegagalan dakwat kekal kepada pengundi yang tangannya berminyak.

- 21 Mei: Abdul Aziz mengatakan pasukan khas ditubuhkan untuk mengkaji mengapa dakwat kekal mudah dibasuh. Sehingga hari ini, tiada laporan dikeluarkan. - 23 Mei: Setiausaha SPR Datuk Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria mengatakan sesetengah petugas SPR mungkin gagal menggunakan dakwat dengan betul semasa hari pengundian. - 17 Jun: Abdul Aziz mengakui kegagalan dakwat kekal. - 26 Jun: Menteri Di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim memberitahu Parlimen SPR menggunakan pewarna makanan dan bukannya nitrat perak dalam dakwat kekal. - 27 Jun: Wan Ahmad mengatakan nitrat perak digunakan dan bukannya pewarna makanan tetapi mengatakan kandungannya 4 peratus dan bukannya 1 peratus.

- 28 Jun: Shahidan mengatakan SPR tidak bertanggungjawab dalam menentukan kadungan nitrat perak yang akan digunakan dalam PRU13. 15 Julai, 2013.

Pejabat syarikat bekal dakwat SPR diburu wartawan

Ahmad Fadli KC 5:41PM Jul 17 2013

Syarikat yang didakwa membekalkan dakwat kekal bagi pilihan raya umum lalu Integrated Challenger Malaysia Sdn Bhd mula menjadi buruan wartawan selepas namanya didedahkan di Parlimen semalam. Setakat jam 2.20 petang tadi, termasuk Malaysiakini, sudah tiga pengamal media hadir ke pejabat syarikat itu di Jalan Tengku Ampuan Zabedah A 9A, Seksyen 9, Shah Alam. Bagaimanapun, kesemua pemberita hampa selepas gagal mendapat sebarang reaksi daripada Integrated Challenger, yang perolehan dakwat kekal itu kini disiasat Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM). Malaysiakini pada awalnya mengunjungi alamat syarikat itu berhampiran kawasan perumahan dan sebuah sekolah di Seksyen 13, Shah Alam, yang alamatnya diperoleh daripada carian maklumat di Google. Bagaimanapun, tempat itu kini didapati menempatkan sebuah spa yang menawarkan khidmat terapi ozon dan penjagaan kesihatan. Loceng pintu masuk spa yang terletak di tingkat dua bangunan kedai dan pejabat itu tidak dijawab oleh sesiapa selepas ditekan berulang kali. Ruang dalam yang boleh dilihat menerusi kaca pintu juga gelap gelita. Sementara rak kasut di tepi kanan pintu dan sepasang kasut di atasnya diselaputi habuk yang tebal, seperti lama ditinggalkan. 'Dia ada tugas luar' Enggan kecewa dengan penemuan itu, Malaysiakini berkunjung pula ke lokasi kedua di Seksyen 9 Shah Alam seperti tercatat dalam daftar syarikat, Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM). Jika lokasi pertama adalah sebuah spa, lokasi kedua pula terletak di atas sebuah spa yang menawarkan khidmat pelangsingan dan urutan badan ala-Bali. Malaysiakini terhalang untuk naik ke pejabat itu oleh pintu kaca yang berkunci namun berjaya bercakap dengan seorang pekerja pejabat melalui interkom. Malaysiakini: Selamat petang. Ini pejabat Integrated Challenger Sdn Bhd kan? Saya hendak bercakap dengan Puan Norsiah Yusoff (yang dikatakan pengarahnya, hasil maklumat carian di Internet). Pekerja: Dia tak ada di pejabat sekarang. Dia buat kerja luar. Malaysiakini: Saya mahu dapatkan maklum balas tentang dakwaan syarikat ini membekalkan dakwat kekal untuk SPR. Siapa yang boleh saya hubungi? Pekerja: Saya pun tak tahu encik. Puan Norsiah pun saya tak pasti bila dia akan selesai dengan tugasan luar dia. Dakwaan hubungan rapat dengan bos SPR Penyambut tetamu tersebut enggan memberikan nombor telefon Norsiah atau pegawai syarikat lain yang boleh mengesahkan dakwaan tersebut. Malaysiakini juga menunggu selama sejam di kawasan berdekatan untuk menunggu kemunculan Norsiah atau pegawai lain syarikat itu.

Setengah jam kemudian, dua orang wartawan dari sebuah harian berbahasa Melayu juga tiba di lokasi sama tetapi difahamkan mereka dimaklumkan, premis itu bukan pejabat Integrated Challenger. Mereka mahu menemui Mohamad Salleh Mohd Alli, yang didakwa pemilik syarikat itu oleh Anggota Parlimen Pandan Rafizi Ramli semalam. Bagaimanapun, wartawan berkenaan dimaklumkan, beliau sedang berada di luar negara. NONETidak lama kemudian, muncul lagi dua orang wartawan sebuah portal berita baru yang akan beroperasi tidak lama lagi, di lokasi sama. Mereka pula dimaklumkan bahawa kedua-dua Mohamad Salleh dan Norsiah tidak ada di pejabat. Anggota Parlimen Pandan Rafizi Ramli (atas) semalam di Dewan Rakyat mendedahkan Integrated Challenger sebagai syarikat yang didakwa sebagai pembekal dakwat kekal pilihan raya umum lalu. Beliau menyebut nama serta nombor kad pengenalan individu yang didakwa sebagai pemilik syarikat terbabit. Pengarah strategi PKR itu juga mendakwa syarikat itu mempunyai hubungan rapat dengan pengerusi dan timbalan pengerusi SPR, tuduhan yang dinafikan suruhanjaya itu. Rafizi juga mendakwa, Integrated Challenger turut mendapat kontrak bernilai besar RM6.9 juta itu secara rundingan terus.

Shahidan: Well appoint a new ink supplier

Leven Woon | July 17, 2013

The government will not be using the same company again to obtain indelible ink after its identity was exposed by PKRs Rafizi Ramli.

KUALA LUMPUR: The government through the Election Commission will appoint a new indelible ink supplier after the identity of current one was exposed, Minister at the Prime Minister Department Shahidan Kassim said today.

He told the Dewan Rakyat that this was to prevent the public from rushing to buy the ink and manipulating the electoral process in the future. However, he declined to reveal the supplier was businessman Mohd Salleh Mohd Ali, whom PKRs Rafizi Ramli claimed had secured the RM7.1mil project through direct negotiations. I will leave it to the MACC to tell the public whether this is the company, he said when debating the supplementary budget motion. Yesterday, Rafizi revealed that Mohd Salleh was awarded the contract to supply the EC with indelible ink, T-shirts and caps in the recent general election. Rafizi had claimed that Mohd Salleh secured the ink contract through Integrated Challenge Malaysia Sdn Bhd and two other companies that he owned. Shahidan said the contractors who supplied 100,000 caps to EC were different companies. He then read out the name of the three companies, one of it being Nash Ventures Sdn Bhd. Rafizi interjected and said Nash Ventures was also owned by Mohd Salleh. The minister was taken by surprise but went on to say that another five companies was awarded the contract to supply 60,000 T-shirts. Rafizi told reporters later that Shahidans answer had indirectly confirmed his expos. Asked about EC chief Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusuf denial that he has links with the businessman, as the tender decision was made by EC secretariat, Rafizi said it was now up to the EC secretary Kamaruddin Baria to clear the air. He also urged EC to come clean whether it was the EC or the contractor who fixed the indelible inks specification, which many claimed could be removed easily. We need to know the full process. What exactly was the spec given to them? Whether or not it was EC who decided the ink should not be indelible, we dont know, he said. Govt to consider scrapping indelible ink Shahidan also said that the government was prepared to consider the suggestion for the scrapping of the indelible ink and changing to the biometric system for the general election. He said the proposal to use the indelible ink came from the opposition and implemented by the BN government in the last general election but its implementation later was disputed by the opposition itself.

The suggestion on the use of indelible ink came from the Honourable MP for Gombak (Mohamed Azmin Ali) in the committee (Special Select Committee On Electoral Reforms), we just followed, whereas the EC (Election Commission) had suggested the biometric (system) so that the thumb print is used where there is no escape. This (biometric) suggestion is the best, we will ensure that the matter is discussed, he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill (2012) 2013 at the committee stage at the Dewan Rakyat sitting, here today. Annuar Musa (BN-Ketereh), when suggesting the scrapping of the indelible ink, said the issue and polemic on the use of the indelible ink had been prolonged because the party that had lost in the general election had to find a reason for their defeat. Referring to the biometric system, Annuar said Malaysia had a comprehensive registration system based on the identity card which had strict security features. We had a very good system already but we gave way on the question of the indelible ink. We had adopted the indelible ink, but then there were people who expressed doubt on the validity of their ablution, he said. - See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/07/17/shahidanwell-appoint-a-new-ink-supplier/#sthash.ODwyOrEB.dpuf

Rafizi names supplier of indelible ink

First Published: 4:13pm, Jul 16, 2013 Last Updated: 5:52pm, Jul 16, 2013 by Azril Annuar KUALA LUMPUR (July 16): The supplier of the controversial indelible ink that was used in the 13th general election was named in the Dewan Rakyat today, after the government refused to divulge the company's identity on security grounds. "Firstly it was done via direct negotiations. As the years go by, there are more contracts sealed though direct negotiations and awards, said Rafizi Ramli (PKR-Pandan) in his debate on the Supplementary Supply Bill 2012. "The best example is the list of things that was authorised under direct negotiation during the general election including t-shirts, caps and indelible ink," he said. According to Rafizi who is also Parti KeAdilan Rakyats (PKR) director of strategy, the company which was awarded the RM6.9 million contract was Integrated Challenger (M) Sdn Bhd, controlled by Mohamed Salleh Mohamed Alli. There are three companies controlled by Mohamed Salleh including his principal company Integrated Challenger (M) Sdn Bhd. Besides Integrated Challenger, Mohamed Salleh also

entered direct negotiations to provide election supplies using two other companies which he controlled, said Rafizi. Rafizi alleged that Mohamed Salleh operated the other two companies in the name of his staff, including his clerk Norsiah Yusof. The companies controlled by Mohamed Salleh are also involved with a lot of other government supply contracts. This includes his first contract with the Defence Ministry, said Rafizi. A search with the Companies Commission of Malaysia listed Mohamed Salleh and Norsiah as the directors of Integrated Challenger, with a 90% and 10% share in the company, which had a share capital of RM1 million in the financial year ending June 2009. Rafizi had warned the Election Commission (EC) on June 26 that he would expose the supplier of the indelible ink if the EC refused to do so. I asked the Minister to explain in his winding up speech for the debate what the government would do regarding direct negotiations which has embarrassed the government and will cause losses to the public, said Rafizi. The indelible ink used in the 13th General Election caused an uproar when many voters reported that the ink could be easily removed. The EC has been heavily criticised by politicians, members of the public and NGOs including election watchdog Bersih 2.0 over the indelible ink fiasco. Up till today, the EC had not named the supplier of the ink. Recently, the EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof told fz.com that he wished to wait until the internal investigation headed by EC panel member and former Bukit Aman Criminal Investigations Department director Datuk Christopher Wan Soo Kee was completed, before making any announcements. Earlier, Rafizi questioned the government on direct negotiations, calling it the least competitive business practice. Rafizi pointed out that the governments decision to use Public Finance Initiatives (PFI) and the Build, Lease and Transfer (BLT) system for certain projects, including six UiTM campuses, would prove more costly in the long run. If we look at the PFI agreement for the UiTM campus in Tapah, the university must pay about RM 57 million a year for a concession period of 23 years. This means UiTM will have to fork out around RM360 million a year (for the six campuses), every year until the end of the concession period. By the end of the contract, UiTM would have paid RM8.7 billion on rental alone. The Minister himself has admitted if it was an open tender conducted by the Works Department, the cost to build each UiTM campus is RM400 million, in total RM2.4 billion. That means (we have to pay) four times the price. The idea of PFI is that the private sector will fund the project (and be more economical for the government), said Rafizi. Replying to Rafizi's allegations over the direct negotiations as well as the indelible ink, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan stated that direct negotiation was done during the elections because there were items that were needed "expediently".

"In the case of the 13th General Election, there were some items that had to be purchased from locals throughout all the constituencies. This falls under expedient items, and to top up. The government will take action to ensure that direct negotiation will be reduced," said Ahmad Maslan. However, Ahmad Maslan, who spoke hurriedly, did not specify whether or not the local contractors that supplied the ink or the t-shirt and hats were as stated by Rafizi. He then stated that other matters that Rafizi brought up will be answered by the appropriate Minister in Prime Ministers Department. Ahmad Maslan said that the Minister would answer the specific issues that were raised.

Read more: http://www.fz.com/content/rafizi-names-supplier-indelible-ink#ixzz2ZDzdIjE1 EC Head Slams Rafizi, Denies Links To Ink Supplier Print E-mail Tuesday, 16 July 2013 21:34

KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC) chairman has denied having any ties with the man said to have been awarded the contract to supply the controversial indelible ink for Mays general election. Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof refuted the allegations made by Rafizi Ramli, the MP for Pandan, and said that he has no knowledge of a Mohamed Salleh Mohd Ali. Rafizi had told Parliament today that Mohamed Salleh was the ink supplier with links to the EC. According to Abdul Aziz, the party involved in purchasing the ink was EC secretary Datuk Kamarudin Baria.He (Baria) should know the details while my deputy and myself are not aware of this, said Abdul Aziz. To my knowledge, the deal to purchase the ink went smoothly and the Ministry of Finance approved it. It is best to refer this issue to Datuk Kamarudin since we do not meddle in the secretariats affairs. Why is he (Rafizi) making such slander? Why make accusations during the fasting month? Is he not afraid of sinning? Why accuse me and Datuk Wan Ahmad (Wan Omar)? Abdul Aziz said when contacted by The Malaysian Insider. During this afternoons Parliament session, Rafizi said the supplier is close friends with the top leaders of the EC and the contract was awarded directly to Mohamed Salleh. The details provided by Rafizi included Mohameds Singapore identification card number 671112665021. - Hasbullah Awang Chik/ The Malaysian Insider
Published: Tuesday July 16, 2013 MYT 8:30:00 PM Updated: Tuesday July 16, 2013 MYT 8:34:55 PM

Parliament: Indelible ink supplier close to EC chiefs, says Pandan MP

KUALA LUMPUR: Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli claimed that a businessman received the contract to supply indelible ink for the May 5 general election despite "being close" to the Election Commission chief and his deputy.

He questioned the EC if it was true that businessman Mohd Salleh Mohd Ali was the supplier of the indelible ink for GE13.

"I call on Arau (Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim) to confirm my information on this.

"This is internal information from the EC," he told Parliament when debating the Supplementary Supply (2012) Bill 2013 during its second reading.

Rafizi claimed that Mohd Salleh was also awarded contracts for several projects involving the Defence Ministry and other Government agencies.

Datuk Seri Reezal Merican (BN - Kepala Batas) then questioned Rafizi's allegations and pointed out that direct negotiations were "not new" practices.

"It was even practised when Permatang Pauh (Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) was the Finance Minister. I ask this in good faith," he said.

To this, Rafizi said the contract to supply indelible ink could be given via open tender so as to obtain the best value.

In a reply to Rafizi, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan said there were certain GE13 items which had to be taken from local suppliers.

"This is categorised as urgent need. The Government will take action so that direct negotiations can be reduced," he said.

On the cost of building six new Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) campuses, Rafizi claimed that the current cost was RM8.3bil via private finance initiatives.

"However, this is four times more expensive than if the contracts were awarded based on open tender," he said.

Rafizi's claims were later lambasted by Barisan Nasional MPs like Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN - Kinabatangan) who called him a "trumpet blower" for blowing up the issue.

Datuk Seri Azalina Othman (BN - Pengerang) accused Rafizi of manipulating facts and that he could afford to make such allegations because he has already graduated.

"He does not realise that a lot of Malaysian youths want to gain entry into UiTM and there is a need for more campuses because there isn't enough," she said.

Rafizi names indelible ink supplier, linked to top EC officials

BY JENNI FER GOMEZ AND Y I SW AREE PALANSAMY J ULY 16, 2013

The indelible ink contract was given to a Mohamed Salleh Mohd Ali who is closely linked to countrys leadership and the Election Commissions (EC) top officials, Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli told Parliament today. He said Mohamed Salleh was a pro at conducting direct negotiations with the government. He had even secured contracts from the defence ministry. Rafizi said Integrated Challenger Malaysia Sdn Bhd, one Mohamed Sallehs companies, not only secured the contract to supply ink but also t-shirts and caps. He is pro, a pro at directly negotiating government contracts, he had contracts from the defence ministry and even contracts on general trading through three of his companies, Rafizi said. He then provided Mohd Sallehs identity card number 671112665021.

Now, we want the minister to explain what the government plans to do to reduce the number of direct negotiations, which is an embarrassment and a waste of taxpayers money, he said. And what action will be taken against businessmen like Mohamed Salleh. Also what is the status of investigations by MACC into the purchase of indelible ink by the EC? he asked. Rafizi also said that deals done through direct negotiations, as opposed to open contracts, was one of the causes for the increase in costs because as they were not dependent on market price. BN Kepala Batas MP Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican told Rafizi direct dealing was a not crime. What is the crime over that? It is not a current practice but one that was being done from when Permatang Pauh (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) was the Finance Minister. To this, Rafizi replied that such a practice is wrong, especially when there are many other manufacturers who can offer much better service at competitive prices. Unless the item can only be made by a specific manufacturer owing to its nature," he added. Rafizis disclosure was the culmination to an ultimatum he had issued to the EC three weeks ago. Rafizi had asked the Election Commission to reveal the name of the ink supplier or he would do it in Parliament. He had said his investigations revealed that the contract for the ink supply was given to a company owned by a Singaporean who had no expertise on the matter. He also disclosed that the company did not have the capital for the job and had met a Kampung Baru businessman to acquire a RM7 million loan. He further demanded the resignation of the entire EC as the public had lost confidence in it. - July 16, 2013.

Indelible Ink Supplier Exposed

JULY 16, 2013 BY DINOBEANO

MY COMMENT: Well done, MP (Pandan) Rafizi for keeping to your word. You have now disclosed the supplier and not only that, you have evidence to show that
this businessman has links to the top brass in the Election Commission. Surprise? Not really because it is well known that our system of government is incompetent and corrupt. It is time that those responsible for awarding the contract own up to the truth. The EC Chairman as the top honcho must take full responsibility and resign, if he has any pride. I also would like to see what our anti-corruption buster, the MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim intends to do with this matter. There should be no cover up because this exposure has embarrassed the Najib Administration. Din Merican

Perbahasan sebentar tadi saya telah maklumkan kepada Parlimen bahawa individu yang didakwa mendapat kontrak membekalkan dakwat kekal adalah Mohamed Salleh Mohamed Ali 671112-66-5021. Terkejut dakwat tidak kekal? Dia adalah kenalan rapat kepada pimpinan tertinggi SPR.

The indelible ink supplier is

Leven Woon | July 16, 2013

PKR's Rafizi Ramli claims that businessman Mohd Salleh Mohd Ali was awarded the job through direct negotiation, and that the latter is close with the BNs leadership.

KUALA LUMPUR: Pandan parliamentarian Rafizi Ramli today claimed that the supplier of indelible ink to the Election Commission (EC) is businessman Mohd Salleh Mohd Ali, who allegedly secured the contract through direct negotiation. Citing a source from the EC, Rafizi told Dewan Rakyat said Mohd Salleh was awarded the contract to supply EC with indelible ink, caps and T-shirt for the recent 13th general election. He claimed that Mohd Salleh has a close relationship with BNs top brass, including the EC chairman and deputy chairman. He owns three companies, one of which is Integrated Challenge Malaysia Sdn Bhd. And he also controls two other companies which were shortlisted for the tender, by using his employees name Norsiah Yusuf, who is a director in his company, Rafizi claimed. Calling Mohd Salleh a closed-tender expert in getting supplying jobs with the government, he alleged that Mohd Salleh has been given contracts especially from the Defence Ministry. Thats why when Kinabatangan (Bung Mokhtar Radin) said some Umno division heads were not given any contracts, its not surprising as they are not experts in closed tender, he said, taking potshots at BN. He asked the government to outline move to reduce such practice.

Kepala Batas MP Reezal Merican responded by asking what was wrong about closed tenders, saying that this has been in practice since Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim was the deputy prime minister. In reply Rafizi said closed tenders should only be applied to contracts which involved strategic information or technology transfer, and not jobs that the whole world can do. He said awarding the indelible ink contract in the form of closed tender was a waste of public fund, and the quality of the product supplied was proven to be unsatisfactory. - See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/07/16/theindelible-ink-supplier-is/#sthash.qLXfHaB2.dpuf
Tuesday, 16 July 2013 18:04

RAFIZI DROPS BOMBSHELL: Supplier of indelible ink linked to top EC & govt officials
RAFIZI DROPS BOMBSHELL: Supplier of indelible ink linked to top EC & govt officials The supplier of the indelible ink used in the recent general election (GE13) was revealed in the Dewan Rakyat today, after the government refused to disclose the company for security reasons.

The supplier, Integrated Challenger Malaysia Sdn Bhd, was allegedly awarded the RM6.9 million contract to supply the indelible ink through direct negotiation.

Pandan MP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Strategic Director Rafizi Ramli said the opposition is compelled to disclose the identity of the supplier since the government and the Election Commission (EC) had refused to do so.

"The deal was done through direct negotiations and as years go by, there are more and more contracts awarded though direct negotiations like construction, defence, security and other supplies.

"The best examples are the things listed under the approved expenses for the general election including t-shirts, caps and the indelible ink.

"It is not just very expensive but also pointless," he told the Dewan Rakyat.

High costs of corruption

Rafizi said sealing a deal through direct negotiation is one of the main reasons why the country's budget is continuously increasing from the approved allocation.

"We know when there is no open tender, the cost would be higher and would not be based on market value. The quality of service or products may not be satisfactory and would create losses for consumers," he said in his debate on the Supplementary Supply Bill 2012.

Integrated Challenger's owner, Mohamed Salleh Mohamed Alli also controls two other companies, which were involved in direct negotiations using his staffs' names.

"According to internal information from the EC itself, the contracts to supply t-shirts, caps and ink were given through direct negotiation from the companies that are controlled by one person.

"There are three companies, controlled by the same person, one of it is Integrated Challenger and there are two more, that came in using the names of his staff," he said.

Rafizi also added that there are also other companies controlled by the same person that has been involved in other government contracts including the Defence Ministry.

"He is an expert in direct negotiation; he gets the ink, defence and also other government contracts as well, because he is close to government leaders, including the EC chairman and deputy chairman," he said.

RM7.1million

It was reported that Minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim of the Prime Minister's Department had in a written reply, told the Dewan Rakyat that RM6.9 million had been spent on the ink, with an additional RM200,000 spent on transportation, packaging and storage, bringing the total expenditure to RM7.1 million.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian) said in his winding up speech that the government will take actions to reduce direct negotiations.

"For GE13, there were some items that had to be purchased from the locals in all the constituencies. It is supplied by local contractors and is categorised as expedient needs and additional needs," he said. Ahmad Maslan said other matters raised by Rafizi will be answered by Shahidan.

The Sundaily Last modified on Tuesday, 16 July 2013 21:25

Indelible ink: A little exercise for young quality professionals - Rama Ramanathan
JULY 17, 2013 A cross-functional project team has been set up. Called a Core Team, the team has been given an objective: they must introduce the use of indelible ink during elections conducted by the Election Commission. The team has to do everything. The only constraint is time: the team must disband after six months. The team meets for the first time. The leader, appointed by the Election Commission, begin work. The first question everyone has is Whats our goal? The leader, a Senior Manager with budget approval and hiring authority, facilitates a discussion to define the goal. The team members are comprised of one front-line user and representatives from R&D, purchasing, quality, distribution, training and legal. 3M sticky notes are handed out. After some introductory remarks by the Core Team Leader (CTL), each person is asked to write on a sticky note what he or she thinks is the goal. After 5 minutes of thinking and 5 minutes of scribbling, the sticky notes are put up on a flip chart. The CTL facilitates a discussion to boil down the individual statements into a goal statement for the project.

Goal statement. After hours of discussion, the team has this goal statement: At an election to be held twelve months from today, through the use of indelible ink, it will be possible for an election agent to determine by visual observation of the voter whether that voter has already voted in the present election. That goal statement is very similar to the terms of reference provided by the Board which, in this case, is the 7 member Election Commission. The benefit of the goal statement is that its been generated by those who must get the work done. So, its in their own language, with an appropriate level of practicality. Its clear now that their job is more than the selection of ink. Their job is the selection, design, and implementation of an overall system. What are they to do next? I hope you realize how complex this is. Heres my quick list of concerns the team must consider (it usually takes days of teamwork, and is many pages in length): Under the present laws, can voters be compelled to have the ink applied to them? Will the ink harm people, whether through absorption through the skin or through contact with food? Will use of the ink deter people from voting because of cosmetic or real or perceived health reasons? Will the presence of chemicals on the skin, e.g. lotions, or nail colouring or varnish impair the working of the ink? For how long must the ink remain visible after application on the skin? Why? How quickly must the ink dry after application? Why? Will the age, colour or condition of a voters skin impact the performance of the ink? Will the age of the ink at the time of use impact the performance of the ink? Will shipping, storage and usage conditions (e.g. temperature, humidity) impact the performance of the ink? Will common knowledge about the source, composition and

shipping of the ink provide opportunity for certain elements of society to sabotage the election? What will be the evaluation criteria for the ink, e.g. colour, chemical composition, physical characteristics (e.g. viscosity), drying time, time to scrub off, time to disappear naturally, etc. What test methods will be used to evaluate the ink? Whats the worst case condition in which the ink will be used, from the point of manufacture to the point of use on the worst case voter? How will the ink be validated, i.e. how many locations, by whom, on whom, with what age of ink, which methods of application, which methods of removal, what criteria to be measured, etc.? What percentage error is acceptable in the result? Why? Based on all of the above (and much, much more), during the Definition Phase, the team will generate a set of requirements and specifications. Requirements are defined in a Product Requirements Document. Requirements state What is to be accomplished, e.g. application by dipping, drying within 2 seconds, determining presence by human eye in natural light, remaining visible for 7 days, etc. Specifications are defined in Product/System Specifications. Specifications state How the Whats will be accomplished, e.g. identity of pigment in the ink, viscosity range of the ink, concentration of Silver Nitrate (the active ingredient), sedimentation in the ink over time, packaging, labelling, shipping, etc. Requirements and specifications may change over time, during the Development Phase. For instance, it may be necessary to change the required drying time from 2 seconds to 1 second in order not to unduly delay the voting process; or to change the requirement from violet to orange because of population preferences. For instance, it may be necessary to change the specified packaging after evaluating alternatives, e.g. it may be found that the dip finger in bottle method has many advantages over the use of an indelible ink pen. Core Team Member (Quality): If you were the quality representative on the Core Team, what would be your response to those who (like me) report that that they washed off the ink immediately after voting, using only daily-use cleaning agents and tools at the kitchen sink? Are you surprised? Quality Manager (Ink Manufacturer): What would be your response if you were the Quality Manager at the factory which produced and perhaps also packaged the ink? Are you surprised at the inconsistencies in the information released by the Election Commission? [Was a toxicology study performed?] Could the "ink" have been food preservative with a seemingly unspecified level of the Active Ingredient, Silver Nitrate? Why? Why are the (conflicting) reports of the concentration of Silver Nitrate drastically lower than what Wikipedia says is normal in industry standard electoral ink? [Malaysian news reports say 0.5 2.9 %, while Wikipedia says 10 18 %.] Based on the information released to-date: Do you think there are properly approved Product Requirements and Product Specifications Documents for the ink? Why? Do you think statistically-based validation with appropriate limiting conditions and sample sizes was performed? Why? Why do you think no one has yet spoken about batch-to-batch variation, batch numbers, inspection and testing results, complaint investigations, quality certifications of suppliers, manufacturers and vendors?

How can you use the Malaysia GE13 indelible ink fiasco in you daily work to emphasize the importance of quality of design, validation and complaint handling? And management commitment! - July 17, 2013. * Rama Ramanathan reads The Malaysian Insider. *