ALOR STAR – Former Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir is fervently denying claims that RM13 million was transferred out of the state’s coffers under his watch, despite fresh revelations by Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor that this was done in 2014.
Mukhriz was menteri besar from May 2013 to February 2016, before he was unseated by Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah. Mukhriz then wrested back the seat in the May 2018 election, only to be once again deposed in May last year.
Mukhriz, who is now Pejuang’s Jitra assemblyman, insisted that the transfer of Menteri Besar Inc (MBI) funds to an offshore account took place when Bashah, who is from Umno, took over as menteri besar.
He challenged Sanusi, the current menteri besar, to provide details of the money transfer.
“MB said RM10.7 million and RM10.3 million – which is which? And, he also mentioned several names in the assembly, but all these names are linked to Bashah’s tenure,” Mukhriz told a press conference after the adjournment of the Kedah assembly sitting today.
He said he is willing to cooperate with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and police over the matter.
Sanusi had responded to Mukhriz during the sitting to say RM13 million had been banked into a Barclays Bank account in four tranches.
Later in a press conference, Sanusi showed four documents purportedly of the bank transfers, Free Malaysia Today reported.
He said the first one was for RM3.295 million, the second for RM3.315 million, the third for RM3.305 million, and the last for RM3.278 million.
He added that the documents had been sent to the relevant investigating authorities, when asked if the MACC had approached his office on the matter.
Mukhriz, however, insists Sanusi has not furnished adequate details.
“I asked him to provide details on the matter. I also told him to provide it outside the legislative assembly but Sanusi refused to furnish any details on the matter,” Mukhriz said, adding that he will issue a press statement on the issue to explain further.
On other matters, Mukhriz said that the Kedah Football Association was transformed into the Kedah Darul Aman Football Club (KDAFC) by 70% private ownership and 30% state ownership under a sponsorship programme and not a corporate social responsibility programme, as cited by Sanusi.
Mukhriz also urged Sanusi to spend the state’s RM40 million in zakat funds before year-end as the monies are for this year and can be disbursed to Covid-19 victims. – The Vibes, September 23, 2021
