SHAH ALAM: Selangor Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) and Universiti Selangor (Unisel) have given their commitment to cooperate with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to furnish evidence or statements needed in the course of investigations.
In a joint statement issued by MBI chief executive officer Raja Shahreen Raja Othman and Unisel vice-chancellor and president Professor Datuk Dr Mohammad Redzuan Othman today, both had said that their cooperation with the graft busters was to quash any accusations and allegations of misconduct levelled against MBI and its subsidiaries.
Responding to the settlement dispute between Unisel and Jana Niaga Sdn Bhd which has become the subject of investigations by the MACC, the statement said that MBI and its subsidiaries will always practice the concept of transparency and openness in the administration of its organisation based on a good corporate governance structure.
"Several series of consultation and discussions were carried out by Unisel and MBI where a few issues were refined and studied by both parties to find the best solution, taking into consideration the interest of the state government, apart from ensuring that the operations of the university are not affected.
"In finding the best solution, the main consideration was to ensure Unisel could provide the best education services and for the welfare of the students to be defended.
"The decision made was in line with the decision of the High Court and Appeal Court that the dispute does not need to be referred to the court. The dispute should rightfully be referred to a dispute settlement committee or through the process of arbitration as stated in the concession agreement signed between Unisel and Jana Niaga," said the statement.
MACC, in a simultaneous eight-hour operations yesterday, raided Unisel’s main campus in Bestari Jaya and in Section 7; Jana Niaga offices in Desa Pandan (Kuala Lumpur) and Bestari Jaya as well as the MBI office in Section 14, here, seizing 10 boxes filled with documents.
MACC conducted the raids to initiate investigations into two suspicious payments totalling RM16 million, which MBI had allegedly made to Jana Niaga in two instalments – RM10 million in 2016 and RM6 million last year.
The payments were allegedly made to Jana Niaga, even though its contract to maintain the student accommodation at the campus in Bestari Jaya, had been terminated by Unisel in 2012.
It was terminated due to Jana Niaga's failure in executing its duties to maintain the hostel at Bestari Jaya as underlined in the contract with Unisel.
MACC said the focus of their probe was to determine the reasons behind the payment despite the termination of the contract.
MACC investigation division director Datuk Simi Abd Ghani had today said his investigators are analysing the bundles of documents seized in search for information that would piece together the suspicious payments, along with elements of graft and abuse of power.
Simi added that no individuals have been called to assist in investigations so far.