MACC starts probe into PKNS and Yayasan Selangor
By Llew-Ann Phang and Maria J. Dass, The Sun
PETALING JAYA (Nov 14, 2010): Alleged shenanigans at the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) and the Selangor Foundation (Yayasan Selangor) have caught the attention of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
The MACC has started investigations against the institutions following complaints of misconduct by the management of PKNS that was brought up at the State Legislative Assembly last week; and the foundation’s perceived extravagance in organising its since cancelled 40th Anniversary luncheon tomorrow.
MACC investigations director Mustafar Ali confirmed that reports were lodged against the institutions, but was tight-lipped. “We have received some complaints and I would say and I can confirm that initial inquiries are being carried out but I cannot elaborate.”
On Friday, Hulu Kelang assemblyman Saari Sungib accused PKNS of cronyism and mismanaging funds. He said that since PKNS’s corporate building was under construction, it had moved to a temporary office and paying RM267,932 a month in rent. Total rent for a three-year contract is RM9.6 million.
Apart from cronyism complaints alleging that top management appointed their acquaintances to head PKNS subsidiaries, there were also claims of huge gaps of between RM10,000 and RM24,000 in wages between contract officers and senior officers.
Another issue was the RM520,000 spent on astronaut Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor’s wedding dinner last month.
Yayasan Selangor’s management, meanwhile, is also mired in allegations stemming from the RM285,000 royal luncheon scheduled today to mark its 40th anniversary. The event was snubbed by Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah who said it was extravagant.
Other allegations include the purchase of luxury cars; the closure of Yayasan Selangor Skills Institute in Bagan Terap, Sabak Bernam, due to lack of funds; a RM170,000 buka puasa function; RM200,000 for clothes and RM320,000 for a Hari Raya event.
State opposition leader and former mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo said his administration left RM60 million in the coffers of Yayasan Selangor, money that was made through investments on land allocated by the state.
“This is the money they are spending extravagantly now,” he said adding that the funds were meant to help poor students.
“Why would you want to spend so much to celebrate the 40th anniversary?” Mohd Khir asked.
“One can understand if it was the 50th or 75th anniversary dinner, but while the explanation was that the money was for a lunch for 3,000 people including the children under the foundation, I think it should have gone to needy students and for facilities,” he said when contacted.
This is what happens when you appoint persons to a position only because they have so called “business experience” Mohd Khir said of Yayasan Selangor general manager Ilham Marzuki.
“Even in the case of PKNS, an organisation that was set up with the intention to help the public, it is now funding the wedding of an astronaut and paying hefty sums for self-promotion by the general manager,” he said.
“So what are they talking about when they say they are helping and enriching the people of Selangor?” asked Mohd Khir.
Selangor assembly speaker and chairman of the Selangor Committee for Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) Teng Chang Khim said he would consult his committee on whether a hearing should be initiated to scrutinise the spending of the state subsidiaries.
Last Wednesday, Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said he had directed the audit team of Mentri Besar Incorporated to look into PKNS and Yayasan Selangor’s operations following assemblymen questioning the irregularities.
