KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has been urged to investigate former Federal Territories (FT) minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor on the sale of 64 parcels of land to the Federal Territories Foundation since 2013.
The call was made by Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng who said that Tengku Adnan, who is also the foundation’s head, must be investigated immediately.
“I told the MACC that the first individual they should investigate is Tengku Adnan, because he was the one who approved the selling of the lands.
“He was also involved with the foundation. Basically, (there was) conflict (of interest).
“Maybe FT deputy minister Datuk Dr Loga Bala Mohan and the mayor (should) be investigated (too), as they are part of the foundation,” Lim told reporters after lodging a report at the MACC office at Jalan Cochrane here today.
Present was Segambut MP, Hannah Yeoh.
Lim said that since 2013, 64 lands measuring a total of 171.7ha worth RM4.28 billion were sold without open tender.
“Furthermore, it was said that the lots were to provide affordable homes for the people.
“However, upon further checks, we found that only a part of (the lots was allotted) for the purpose (of affordable homes),”
“We are not against the housing projects and purchasers. (But) we want to look at the transactions,” he said.
Lim added that all development projects here which have been approved will proceed as usual, while those under planning will be temporarily halted.
“This is to allow us to review the land deals, as well as to ensure that all the lands sales were done under open tender,” he added.
In an immediate response, Loga Bala said he welcomed the authorities to investigate him over the sale of 64 parcels of land to the Federal Territories Foundation since 2013.
"Feel free to investigate me because my conscience is clear. Personally, I have nothing to hide.
"First of all, I want to clarify that my KPI was mainly to clear housing, licencing issue involving the public, like getting the squatters a proper house and PPR (housing for the poor) units.
"I had nothing to do with the tenders or land deals when I was the FT deputy minister," he said.
Loga Bala said decisions on such matters were handled by the minister and those designated by him to the task.
"Since a report has been lodged it is best the authorities conduct their investigations," he said, adding that he left the foundation as the deputy chairman in 2016.
Loga Bala added that he felt a little taken aback by the overall accusation and the generalisation by certain quarters, especially those who had newly come into power.
He said they were putting everyone from the old administration in a bad light.
"Many people have sincerely carried out their responsibilities and work but to make general accusations and dropping names is not ethical or appropriate.
“If you are unhappy and find any irregularities in a project or deal, report it to the authorities, there is no need to name people openly without evidence.
"I feel it is unfair and unbecoming of a lawmaker and a professional such as Lim to simply drop names," he said.
He said Lim's actions had given the public a negative impression and created doubts about a person's credibility.
"This puts those who really served and worked for the people in a bad light," he said.
Tengku Adnan could not be contacted for comments.
Several phone calls were made to his mobile phone but were rejected.