KUALA LUMPUR – During youth-led group Muda’s press briefing today on Prasarana Malaysia Bhd chairman Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, his son, Dr Faizal Tajuddin, gatecrashed the event to offer an immediate rebuttal.
Muda had raised questions on the family’s alleged involvement in a RM1 billion development project near Dang Wangi LRT station called Latitud8.
In the briefing, Muda co-founder Amir Abdul Hadi asked whether Tajuddin, who is also Pasir Salak MP and an Umno politician, had knowledge of the project being awarded to Intan Sekitar Sdn Bhd (ISSB) in 2012.
Amir said based on a search with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), ISSB is owned by Crest International Sdn Bhd (51%) and Detik Utuh Sdn Bhd (49%).
He added two of ISSB’s directors are Datin Sri Rahayu Tajuddin and Firdaus Tajuddin, both of whom are Tajuddin’s children.
Firdaus, who in 2017, trespassed Parliament grounds to assault opposition lawmaker Khalid Samad for uttering the phrase “menteri sial” (damned minister) while debating Tajuddin, who had made a vulgar reference to Seputeh MP Teresa Kok’s surname.
Meanwhile, Amir said Rahayu and Firdaus hold a 40% share in Detik Utuh owned by family members through a company named Tindakan Juara Sdn Bhd.
Amir added that Detik Utuh was appointed to manage the Latitud8 project in March 29 last year before Tajuddin became Prasarana chairman.
He said Tajuddin was appointed Prasarana chairman in May 1 after the Pakatan Harapan government fell to Perikatan Nasional in late February.
“From what we understand as the scheme of things, (some appointments) were given to reward parliamentarians who supported the (PN) government,” Amir said during the briefing outside the Dang Wangi LRT station here this afternoon.
“Therefore, we see many parliamentarians are given positions in GLCs (government-linked companies).”
Amir said he obtained documents from several sources on the Dang Wangi project, which began in 2012 is only 15% complete.
Amir said he also obtained minutes of a Prasarana board meeting held on October 8, last year, in which it was decided that ISSB would be dropped as the project management company for compensation amounting to some RM87.7 million.
Another document, Amir said, showed a committee had been formed in November to handle the ISSB’s removal. He alleged there were plans to change the unfinished development project into Prasarana’s new headquarters, worth an estimated RM500 million.
“(This is happening when) a project to build a headquarters is being carried out in Subang Depot that would cost RM150 million – whose money is this? It is surely the people’s money.
“But now, it plans to build another building that will cost RM500 million. So, what will happen to the headquarters in Subang Depot?”
He said these were among the questions that must be answered by Tajuddin.
Meanwhile, Faizal, who suddenly appeared at the roadside press conference, refuted Amir’s claims.
Faizal, who had received a media invitation to the press briefing, said the party calling the matter a scandal is “malicious”.
“If it is really a scandal, why didn’t you just go straight to the police and the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) to make a report? Why sensationalise the matter?
“Secondly, if a satisfactory explanation is given, is Muda going to apologise to him (Tajuddin)?”
Faizal said the RM1 billion project was a joint-land development project, in which the developers provided the funding, not taxpayers.
“Developers have to fork out their own funds, or from shareholders, for financing.”
He said Prasarana had not paid anything to the contractors of the project, adding that the removal of ISSB with compensation is only appropriate as the recent cancellation of the KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail project is also being treated the same way.
Faizal added that his family members do not own 40% shares in Detik Utuh but only 20%.
Shortly after the press conference, Amir said he received a letter of demand from Tajuddin seeking a public apology within 48 hours.
“We have received a lawyer’s letter. We repeat, the main thing is to answer. Prasarana manages 1.5 million users. A government-owned company.” Amir said on Twitter.
“If the allegations are wrong, yes we are ready to go to court.” – The Vibes, January 5, 2021
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