In the name of Balkis
By Hakim Joe
What happened to the Balkis issue?
Formed in 1985 by the Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs, Balkis is supposedly an organisation formed as a welfare and charity organisation for the children of Selangor. The presidency of this organization is the wife of the state’s Menteri Besar.
From its inception till 1997, the president of Balkis was Puan Sri Rohani Asnan, the wife of former Selangor MB Tan Sri Mohammad Mohammad Taib. From 1998 until its illegal dissolution in 2008, the president of Balkis was from Datin Zahrah Kechik, the wife of former MB Datuk Seri Khir Toyo.
In March 2009, The Selangor State Assembly’s Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) held its first public hearing on the Balkis issue. This was after reports that stated that Balkis transferred a total of RM9.9 million out of its accounts after seeking dissolution. In the hearing, it was transpired that PNSB had funded Balkis to the tune of over RM1 million every year since 2002. Amongst these revelations were:
In August 2002, PNSB funded a journey of repentance and self-realisation (Keinsafan) for 4 Balkis members to Cambodia. A total of RM82,227 was paid and the money was used to food, accommodation and humanitarian projects as well as an allowance of RM3,000 for a reporter and RM10,000 for the production of a video clip on Balkis. PNSB said RM38,000 was dispensed in cash and PNSB did not receive a receipt for the money.
In the same year, Balkis also received RM250,000 from PNSB of which RM100,000 was in cash, to run a motivational camp for SPM students.
In 2003, PNSB allocated RM1.65 million to Balkis of which RM148,280 was used to fund a mass wedding of 51 couples who were new converts at Dewan Belia and Sukan in Shah Alam.
Almost RM90,000 was spent on food for the estimated 1,500 guests at the wedding and PNSB admitted there was no proper documentation on how the rest of the money was spent.
In 2004, PNSB paid RM3,600 for a “Summermen” suit for its then chairman Dr Mohd Khir Toyo as a souvenir for attending a Chinese New Year function, contrary to General Orders that gifts should not cost more than RM1,000. In the same year PNSB paid RM16,000 for Balkis members to go on a trip to Bukit Tinggi, Indonesia. When questioned, PNSB said that RM5,000 was used to pay for a dinner for 50 people, a RM5,000 lunch for 50 people while the remaining RM11,000 was for contingency. PNSB did not clarify what the contingency funds were for.
In January 2006, PNSB paid RM50,000, in cash, for the opening of Complex Wawasan Balkis in Shah Alam, RM13,000 for food and a singer for a Buka Puasa dinner and RM25,000 for several tables at a Balkis charity dinner. PKPS (Pebadanan Kemajuan Pertanian Selangor) also contributed RM46,000 for the officiating of Balkis complex including the cost of 150 fruit hampers for guests.
In February 2006, Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd (KDEB) paid a total of RM65,300 to buy Songket material to be given as gifts to the Sultan, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali at a function hosted by Balkis. KDEB also paid another RM25,000 for the purchase of chocolates as souvenir.
In March 2007, PNSB sponsored RM34,600 for a Balkis visit to Hong Kong, money allocated from PNSB for welfare purposes.
In May 2007, KDEB paid RM17,438 for the flight tickets of seven (1 business class & 6 economy class seats) Balkis members for a “souvenir shopping” trip to Guangzhou, China. KDEB also admitted to paying RM206,574.89 for the souvenirs which included a large amount of decorative flowers of various colours as well as 2,700 caps in blue, red and purple priced at RM8 each. The invoice however indicated that the supplier was based in Kuala Lumpur.
In June 2007, PNSB paid RM88,388 for another Balkis trip to Tokyo, Japan.
In July 2007, KDEB paid RM100,000 for dinner organised by Balkis at the Sunway Lagoon Resort and Spa Hotel.
In August 2007, PNSB paid RM338,547.97 for the Balkis annual sports event. This included RM131,000 spent on sporting attire for 400 people and 180 liaison officers, and RM45,781.00 worth of souvenirs for VIP guests.
In August 2007, the state government with the approval of the financial officer and endorsement of the executive council, paid RM450,000 for three dinners organized by Balkis. PKNS chipped in another RM300,000.
In December 2007, PNSB paid over RM14,000 to purchase return business class and economy class tickets as per instructions directly from Datin Zahrah Kechik on a personal visit to Melbourne, Australia to visit her son who was studying there. PNSB CEO Datin Khairiyah Abu Hassan accompanied Datin Zahrah Kechik on this trip. Her excuse was that she was “ordered” to do so.
In March 2008, Balkis was officially dissolved three days after the Federal Elections and after Selangor fell to the opposition. RM9.9 million of its funds were transferred to BAKTI.
In April 2008, Yee Choon Kong & Co (Balkis external auditor) announced that the financial statement of Balkis was unaudited and the accounts not finalised before the funds were transferred. It was also learnt that Balkis had not submitted audited accounts to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) since 2001. ROS regulations call for the submitting of audited accounts every year. When asked to explain, ROS deputy registrar, Yunos Jamil, said that this was an “oversight”.
In March 2009, the Selcat petitioned for documents relating to the Balkis dissolution from ROS but their request was rejected (by ROS).
In May 2009, it was discovered that when Bunga Tanjung was dissolved, its remaining funds of RM590,000 was transferred to Balkis shortly after the state (Penang) fell to the opposition. The fund was run by Koh Tsu Koon’s wife.
In September 2009, the High Court orders ROS to suspend the Balkis dissolution. Balkis funds and assets (under Bakti management) have also been frozen. BTW, Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik can only be legally prosecuted with the consent of the Attorney-General.
