Khalid declines further comment on Talam

(Bernama) – Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has declined further comment on the restructuring of Talam Corporation Bhd’s (Talam) debts.

“I don’t want to say anything more (on the Talam issue). MCA accused us (state government) of cheating the people of RM1 billion, so I want to know what is it that I have cheated, then only will we answer,” he told reporters at the handing over of garbage bins to residents at Sections 10 and 11 here today.

The issue pertained to an initial challenge by MCA Young Professionals Bureau chief Datuk Chua Tee Yong to the Selangor Government to publicly declare the agreement document purportedly worth RM1 billion, between Talam and the state government on the debt restructuring.

DAP MP Tony Pua yesterday disclosed among others, that the state government had acquired 13 types of assets from Talam at a discount of RM9.1 million, being part of the agreement in the restructuring.

He was reported to have said the 13 assets included land, building and golf club shares.

While declining to answer when asked to comment on Pua’s statement, Abdul Khalid said many people did not understand how the debt recovery process involving the state government and Talam worked.

“That is why, they start questioning why Talam’s debt had been translated into state debts. It’s actually like a debt settlement scheme. The scheme has an agreement, it is not a matter of simply paying up,” he stressed.

On taking legal action against the MCA, Abdul Khalid said the state government had studied the issue and would scrutinize the former’s statement before making a decision.

Asked whether he would broach on Talam at the state assembly sitting, beginning tomorrow, he said:

“In the assembly, we are transparent. On Talam, I will provide the list of expenditure involved but there will be no explanation until they (MCA) give a clarification.”