MALAYSIAKINI.COM
6:10pm Tue May 6th, 2003

ACA: Investigation continuing into reports against Khir Toyo
YS Tong

The investigation into graft allegations against Selangor Menteri Besar Dr
Mohd Khir Toyo is still in progress, but the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA)
cannot predict when this will be completed.

ACA officer Hasnan Mustafa, who is investigating the case, said the
information gathered thus far was not complete and that more witnesses may
be called in to give their statements.

Different levels

He also said it was impossible to tell when the investigation would be
concluded.

"Different cases have different levels of difficulty. Sometimes, it takes a
long time to obtain information as in the case of Perwaja Steel," he said
when contacted.

[...]

Asked if political interference was impeding the investigation into the Mohd
Khir cases, Hasnan replied, "I can't say anything about that. We o_nly do
our job here."

He said that, o_nce the investigation is completed, the ACA would submit a
report to the Attorney-General's Chambers, which would then decide whether
or not to bring charges.

Several reports

Several reports have been lodged against Mohd Khir over the past two years.

Most of these were made by media activist Ahmad Lutfi Othman, who first
accused Mohd Khir of awarding land and government projects worth over RM100
million to a band of cronies in October 2001.

In each of his reports, Lutfi provided the ACA with details of the
individuals and companies allegedly involved, and copies of Mohd Khir's bank
statements which he had obtained.

Mohd Khir has dismissed the allegations as "unfounded", insisting that he
has no personal interest in all the projects approved by the state
legislative assembly.

The latest graft allegation against him was made last week by DAP state
assembly representative for Bandar Klang Teng Chang Khim.

Teng (photo) claimed that Mohd Khir was unfit for his job because of
"cronyism, corruption, nepotism and his failure to set exemplary
leadership".

He also alleged that Mohd Khir was involved in two "suspicious" allocations
of land for plantation purposes. Last Friday, Teng was called in by the ACA
to give a statement.

Last month, Parliamentary Secretary in the Prime Minister's Department Noh
Omar told the Dewan Rakyat that 25 senior government leaders, some as high
up as minister and deputy minister, were being investigated by the ACA.

SOURCE:
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/2003050600110244.php

THE MALAY MAIL
Thirsday, May 15, 2003

'Be transparent'
V. Vasudevan

THE recent controversy over the award of prime land to the well-heeled and civil servants in Dengkil and Sepang has triggered calls for more transparency in this sensitive matter.

The sensational manner in which it came to light and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Sri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo’s reaction to it raised more questions than answers.

The Menteri Besar, in reacting to Bandar Klang State Assemblyman Teng Chang Kim’s allegations in the State Assembly, had said that he wanted an enquiry into how the names of the recipients were leaked out.

Why would there have to be an inquiry when Khir said the whole process was transparent?

Transparency is the operative word here as the current arrangements do not in any way enlighten people on how the public is awarded land.

When does a parcel of land become available to the public? How is the public to know when this happens?

What is the criteria for applicants? If Government servants are getting it, which category of Government servants is eligible?

Questions which are of interest to the public but have never been answered by the State Government.

Kuala Lumpur Society for Transparency and Integrity president Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim said the Selangor Government may have claimed what it did was within the rules.

“Having said that, the Menteri Besar went on to state they want to find out how the information leaked. If there is nothing to hide, it should not matter. Quite obviously, it is not transparent.”

He said the State Government was withholding information on a scarce resource that was sought by just about everyone.

“It should not be a secret. The public should know how the award was made in the first place. It appears that the availability of the lots in question was only known to a select group of people.”

He said the problem could have been avoided if the whole process had been open.

“Notices should have been issued, which land was available and the basis for application made known. A system should be put in place whereby the whole process would be known to the public.”

He said it was within the Government’s right to reward its staff but how would anyone know if the recipients had been awarded land before this?


SOURCE:
http://www.mmail.com.my/Thursday/Na.../20030515081639

Continued...

THE MALAY MAIL
Thirsday, May 15, 2003

'Be transparent'
V. Vasudevan

Teng (Chang Khim), who raised the matter, agrees.

“A transparent system should be put in place. Let people know who got what. Why should there be any worry if the transaction is really transparent?” he said.

He agreed it was the State Government’s right to award land to anyone but there should be a clearer guideline on awarding land to senior civil servants or politicians.

Teng reckoned in this age of the Internet, Land Offices could easily upload details of applicants for the public to know.

“This would be a good way to monitor land applications and awards,” he said of the often-heard complaint that it would be impractical to put up all the names of applicants on a notice board at any land office in the State.

On Government servants, especially those in the higher echelons of the service, Teng suggested these officials could be rewarded after retirement.

“Perhaps the State could give them the right to apply for land a year or two after their retirement. At least then, allegations of these people being in a position to influence those making the decision will not hold.”

As for the politicians, Teng said there was no way of knowing if they had ever received land during their term of office.

SOURCE:
http://www.mmail.com.my/Thursday/Na.../20030515081639

Continued...

THE MALAY MAIL
Thirsday, May 15, 2003

'Be transparent'
V. Vasudevan


Federation of Malaysia Consumers Association president Prof Hamdan Adnan said the reason cited by Dr Mohd Khir for awarding the land to the Government servants was wrong.

“The Exco and assemblymen already have homes. What about the needy cases? Every time we (Fomca) raise the issue of low-cost homes in prime areas, we are told there is insufficient land.”

He said, in the past, recipients of such land often sold it off for a handsome profit.

“I think it is time for the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad) to look at it. Although land is a State matter, I think the Federal authority should look at some of these awards.”


SOURCE:
http://www.mmail.com.my/Thursday/Na.../20030515081639

Continued...

THE MALAY MAIL
Thirsday, May 15, 2003

'Be transparent'
V. Vasudevan

Serdang MP and former Exco member Datuk Yap Pian Hon said the issue of transparency in the matter was subjective.

“Everyday in the land offices of Selangor, people are applying land all the time. Are we asking for notices to be put up on these applications? It will take up much space and time.”

Yap defended the State Government’s decision on awarding land to civil servants.

“These people have a right and it is provided for in the service. Saying they already have homes and denying them a plot is not right. It is penalising them for their position,” he said.

A senior Land Office official said each land office received between 20 to 50 applications a day, depending on the district.

“Naturally, areas like Petaling, Hulu Langat and Gombak, by virtue of being near the city and developed areas, receive more applications.

“Surely the land offices could not be expected to put up all these applications for scrutiny. Where is the space?”

Point taken, but considering the nature of land and the emotions it evokes, something has to be done by the powers that be to show that it is transparent.

“Merely stating it is transparent is not enough. The State Government must show it is transparent at every step of the process. If not for all cases at least for the ones where mass awards are being carried out like the ones in Dengkil and Sepang,” said a politician familiar with the current arrangements.

Unless a more transparent system is put in place there will always be people who will be complaining about the shady manner in which a plot or other was awarded.”


SOURCE:
http://www.mmail.com.my/Thursday/Na.../20030515081639

read between the lines ... mind yr language ... i rest my case ...

The Malay Mail devoted three pages of Khir Toyo today!

THE MALAY MAIL
Thursday, June 5, 2003

Amazing Khir

Selangor MB makes ‘shock and awe’ pronouncements on graft allegations against the MPAJ enforcement chief.

• NO investigation without a written complaint. That’s why no action was taken when Datuk M. Kayveas first complained verbally to MPAJ president Ahmad Kabit


• NORMAL inquiry procedure at the time failed to uncover evidence against MPAJ enforcement chief Abdul Kudus Ahmad


• AMPANG JAYA is a relatively ‘clean’ and efficiently-run municipality


• NO need to investigate graft in other municipal councils.

Harny Abu Khair

NO written complaint, no investigation! This is the stand of the Selangor Government on complaints, especially if it involves a serious allegation like corruption.

"Complaints to the Press are not good enough for us to carry out an investigation," said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, after chairing the Exco meeting yesterday.

"The public can make any allegation but we need a written complaint." He said no further action can be taken against any officer alleged to have accepted bribes without any hard evidence or witnesses.

On the case of Ampang Jaya Municipal Council enforcement chief Kapten (Rtd) Abdul Kudus Ahmad who was allegedly bribed to act as a mole, Khir said it is better to allow the council's disciplinary committee to complete its investigation.

"The State Government cannot interfere with the investigation as this case falls under the MPAJ Workers Conducts and Discipline Procedure 49(1) 1995," he said, adding that they would only take over the case if the findings of the disciplinary committee are unsatisfactory.

Although MPAJ president Ahmad Kabit had asked that the investigation be carried out by the State Government, the council's constitution requires the investigation to be carried out by the council's disciplinary committee consisting of three senior officers.

Asked whether he is confident that the disciplinary committee would carry out its duties without bias, Khir said ‘yes'.

"Let this committee do its job first. We should not judge both the committee or penalise Abdul Kudus right now," he said.

The internal inquiry started on Tuesday. It is headed by the council legal department's director Johari Atli and comprises another two senior officers, urban services and hawkers management department director Sarodin Shahri and building and architecture department director Yazid Sarkom.

Khir said the police and Anti-Corruption Agency are carrying out separate investigations.

"If he is found guilty, MPAJ will terminate his services but if he is found not guilty, he can continue his job after his suspension period ends," he said.

Asked why MPAJ did not take action against Abdul Kudus when Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Datuk M. Kayveas first lodged a complaint to the council, Khir said the complaint was verbally lodged with MPAJ president Ahmad Kabit.

"Normal inquiry procedure was followed but there was no evidence for the council to take action or suspend Abdul Kudus," he said.

Asked whether this would be a stepping stone to ‘clean up' the council, Khir said he will only act if there is any written complaint forwarded to State Government or the Police.

"There is also no need to carry out similar investigation in all local councils in Selangor," he said.

Khir said if MPAJ officers and councillors are all corrupt, there would be chaos in the municipality.

"I was informed that in 2001 alone, about RM200,000 in compound fines was collected and up to this year, they have collected almost RM2 million. This shows the council is diligent in carrying out its duties," he said.

"As such, Ampang Jaya is considered a relatively `clean' municipality." Khir denied that Abdul Kudus and Ahmad Kabit were related by marriage. This was also confirmed by Abdul Kudus, when contacted yesterday.

SOURCE:
http://www.mmail.com.my/Thursday/Fr.../20030605101948

THE MALAY MAIL
Thursday, June 5, 2003

More Brickbats Against MPAJ:
No action against rearing poultry
Sangeetha Nair

THE Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) received more brickbats from residents regarding the alleged corruption within the council.

ALICE, of Lembah Keramat, claimed that the council failed to take action against a neighbour rearing cats and poultry in their single-storey house although the matter had been highlighted in The Malay Mail.

The neighbour who lives along Jalan AU4/2 puts the cats in a big cage and the chicken coop in front of the house, and this is causing an unbearable stench.

"The owner seems to have the right connections. The council is blind to the problem, so we suffer for it," she said yesterday, adding that this complaint was highlighted in The Malay Mail's Hotline on April 23.

At the time, MPAJ public relations officer Norhayati Ahmad assured that the council's health officers would visit the premises and act on it.

CAPRICORN, of Taman Bukit Teratai, claimed that although their house assessment has shot up by 50 per cent this year, the council has failed to maintain the cleanliness of the area.

"I was shocked at the increase and even wrote an appeal letter to MPAJ but they did not bother to reply," he said.

RAJA KAMARUL, who owns a house in Sunway City, wants to know why the reserve land at Jalan Nirvana 46 in Taman Nirvana, Ampang, has not been cleared as promised by MPAJ last year.

"It has been abandoned and squatters are occupying the space. There are illegal workshops and chicken farms there," he said.

When Hotline approached the council for a reply in October 2002, they claimed to have started clearing the land.

"We have asked the illegal workshops to move out. We will send our officers to check on the complaint," a MPAJ spokesman had said.

Raja said that he had approached a senior MPAJ enforcement officer who, apparently told him that the State Assemblyman and the MPAJ president had stopped the demolition exercise.

"I was told that they had come up with a proposal to build 23 more workshops on that land. If this is so, why did they issue notices to the previous workshops in the first place? I think this is just a ploy to generate more under-the-table money," he alleged.


SOURCE:
http://www.mmail.com.my/Thursday/Na.../20030605102332

THE MALAY MAIL
Thursday, June 5, 2003

You must be joking, Khir
Najmuddin Najib

SURELY Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohd Khir Toyo must be joking! Community leaders and members of the public just could not believe Khir's apparent satisfaction with the performance of the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council's just-suspended enforcement director Abdul Kudus Ahmad, and his statement that Ampang Jaya is a relatively "clean" municipality.

Datuk Shaharuddin Awang Yahya, who is Ampang Jaya People's Consultative Council deputy chairman, said that Dr Khir's comments were off the mark.

"Everything is not all fine within the MPAJ. The council has never contacted the NGOs and residents associations for their views and perspectives. Neither have they responded when we asked for dialogues to raise key issues within the community," he said.

"Pirated VCDs are still being sold and discotheques are still operating beyond the stipulated time." Shaharuddin said the council ought to emulate the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council's (MPPJ) success, as members of residents associations there are invited to become council members to facilitate better dialogue with the residents.

"But only people with political backgrounds hold these seats within the council. Where then is the voice of the people?" he asked.

He said the Menteri Besar should not listen only to the views of MPAJ president Ahmad Kabit but also those of the community to get a balanced perspective.

"The Menteri Besar should pay a visit to the area before forming a judgment," he said.

M. Thomas, chairman of the Residents Action Committee of Taman Nirwana, said that a lot needs to be done before the MPAJ deserves a pat on the back.

"Pirated VCDs are still being sold on the streets and shops in Ampang, right in their backyard. When we report these activities, no action is taken," said Thomas.

"Corruption is so rife that the people here are getting frustrated with it." Retiree K.C. Lim said that residents wonder how the construction of a particular four-storey restaurant managed to get the council's approval.

"The restaurant in Hulu Kelang dwarfs other buildings in the area, and is responsible for the traffic chaos there. We're baffled as to how it managed to get the council's approval," said Lim, a resident of Hulu Kelang since 1954.

"They can approve the construction of a structure detrimental to the area, and yet they want to take back the UKRC field. Unbelievable." "Cybercafes are operating illegally in our area, and the authorities are turning a blind eye to them. "I am not sure what the Menteri Besar meant by his approval of the suspended MPAJ enforcement director's handling of his duties in the municipality."

SOURCE:
http://www.mmail.com.my/Thursday/Na.../20030605102611