Selangor MB denies targeting former rival Khalid in MBI payout probe
(Malay Mail Online) – Azmin Ali denied today that Selangor’s probe into the RM2.6 million unauthorised payout to Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s former aides was meant to target his former political rival.
The Selangor mentri besar said the state government was merely sticking to its model of transparency when it decided to investigate the severance payments made to the former Mentri Besar Incorporated (MBI) staff members.
“Tak de. (Don’t have) In line with our policy, the administration is based on transparency, accountability. So these are the issues that demand explanation from the Dewan (state assembly), so they will conduct public hearing,” he told reporters after attending a Christmas open house event.
He was referring to the Selangor’s Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) ― a body which has the powers to hold a public inquiry.
When asked if there would be a review of MBI’s other accounts, Azmin said that any report of mismanagement will be looked into and subsequently rectified.
“Well, if there is any report or any mismanagement that need to be rectified, we will look into it,” he said.
Azmin took over the Selangor mentri besar post this September from his predecessor Khalid, who was forced out of the seat before serving out his five-year term.
Earlier this year, both Azmin and Khalid were vying for the PKR deputy president post, which resulted in the former successfully defending his incumbency.
Khalid, who was sacked from PKR during the tussle over the Selangor MB post, has since claimed ignorance over allegations that his former aides were issued severance payments after he stepped down from his position.
Yesterday, Azmin said MBI’s new management and Selcat will decide on the next course of action that will be taken based on the findings of the unauthorised payments.
Today, when asked if a report will be lodged with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Azmin said this would be decided by the new MBI management.
According to Azmin, the new MBI management had only stepped into office on December 1 and would need time to go through the audit report on the RM2.6 million payment before coming up with recommendations.
When asked about the seeking of the return of the severance payment, Azmin said today that it would depend on the Selcat committee ― headed by Selangor Speaker Hannah Yeoh.
MBI’s audit report had revealed that former MB Khalid acted unilaterally without the consent of Mentri Besar Incorporated’s (MBI) board of directors in giving out approximately RM2.6 million to his former staff.
The findings of the MBI audit report, which was tabled in the Selangor state assembly this week, found that Khalid, who was MBI chairman, had failed to abide by standard procedures in disbursing the payment to eight ex-staff members of MBI.
The audit report found that the severance payments were not stated in the contracts held by the eight former staff members.
“The board of directors of MBI not including the MBI chairman, at any time after August 25, 2014 had never given any final agreement for the implementation of payments to be made to the eight officers and staff members as decided by the MBI chairman on September 22, 2014,” said the audit report.
It also stated the board of directors were never consulted or given an opportunity to decide on the said severance payments, and that they had only agreed to the voluntary separation scheme (VSS) which was not by any means a blank approval.
The report also found that former MBI chief executive Faekah Husin was paid a compensation for 30 per cent out of her monthly pay (RM38,000) for each of the 51 months she had worked in MBI (RM581,400) when she only worked as the CEO for 12 months and 23 days.
Similarly, former MBI political secretary Mustapha Mohd Talib was compensated 30 per cent out of his monthly pay (RM10,050) for each of the 78 months he had worked in MBI when findings showed he was only an MBI staff for 53 months and 72 days.
