October 29, 2008

Irregularities in PKNS books: MB

(the Sun )
SHAH ALAM (Oct 27, 2008): The Selangor Government today disclosed several “irregularities” in the accounts and management of its property development arm, the Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS).

In a statement that was short on details, Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said among the irregularities was a conflict of interest situation in the management structure of PKNS and the awarding of a RM100,000 bonus to its former chairman and ex-mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo for leading the company to achieve a profit of RM500 million in 2007.Speaking to reporters after lauching the i-City International Park in Section 7, Khalid disclosed that the following:
> Several senior officials of PKNS held 30% shares in a subsidiary company, PKNS Infra Sdn Bhd.
> The company’s accounts also do not mirror the actual situation of the company.“For the year ended 2007, the then company’s chairman (Mohd Khir) claimed the company had succeded in its property development business and registered a profit of RM500 million. But our checks revealed more than 50% of that profit came from extra-ordinary items…and this leaves a lot of doubts,”
>A lot of PKNS' business activities and decisions were made in the ‘political interest’ of the former government

He said the “current GM” acknowledges this and is prepared to work with the board to identify the areas that need to be rectified.

> PKNS had awarded a RM100,000 bonus to its former chairman for the company’s success in raking in profits, an item Khalid described as “disturbing”.

(theSun had on Sept 12 carried a report on a company owned by the Selangor government, Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB), which paid RM159,250 for a Patek Philippe watch on Jan 8 as a souvenir for its chairman, Mohd Khir at that time. The watch was given to the former MB before the March 8 general election but he returned it.)

> After checking the accounts of PKNS which dates back to 44 years, Abdul Khalid expressed regret that the company had failed in its objective to assist the Malays in real estate and property development activities.

“This is evident in the fact that more than 75% of its projects have been handed out to non-Malay companies, either directly or indirectly.”
When asked for additional details on these items, Abdul Khalid said he will say more in another press conference soon.

Abdul Khalid also announced the appointment of Low Siew Moi as PKNS general manager for one year.

Low, who was to retire end of this month together with current PKNS GM Datuk Harun Salim, had served PKNS for 35 years with her last portfolio as the deputy GM for corporate development.

“As the retirement of the two top managers of the company will adversely affect effectiveness continuation of management, we have decided to allow Datuk Harun to retire while we requested Low to stay on with the company for another year until the board finds a suitable replacement,” he added.

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