Ex-minister to get brand new Porsche Macan?

After being dragged in court over his alleged links with the murder of MSM activist Soopramanien Kistnen and the fictitious employment of the latter’s widow, ex-Minister of Commerce Yogida Sawmynaden is under the spotlight again over the acquisition of a brand new Porsche Macan.

L’Express reported lawyers Rama Valayden and Roshi Bhadain as alleging the transaction was done in cash, relying on a document currently circulating on social media.

They have given a statement to the Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC), asking the anti-graft body to investigate the source of funds.

They said they will also ask to investigate whether there is a “possible offense under the Financial Intelligence and Anti-Money Laundering Act”, which prohibits any cash payment of more than Rs 500,000.

Valayden claimed the tax-free purchase of the Macan at Rs 3.2 million is “an insult to the poor, especially coming from someone who is being brought to justice.”

Pro-government accountants claimed the document being shared on social is a “mere pro-forma invoice” – which does not confirm if the transaction went through. An explanation being used by political observers to claim that the document “may have been deliberately leaked to the lawyers – and they fell in the trap by going public without proper scrutiny.”