Selangor Govt: YBK must submit reports, Malay Mail 15/1/2010

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor Government maintains that the Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan (YBK) should submit its audited reports to the former, as it has given the foundation substantial funding over the years.

However, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim admitted the state had not made any contribution since it took over its administration in 2008, after Pakatan Rakyat won the last election, because the foundation had not requested for funds.

Besides, he said, the authorities too were in the dark over the foundation's management of accounts. The state had not received any reports from YBK "from day one" and there was no request from the latter either.

The foundation was set up since 1990.

Abdul Khalid said YBK's financial reports posted on its official website (ww.ybk.org.my) do not truly reflect the extent of the support that the state has given to the organisation.

"We are aware of the financial reports posted on the website. But they have no details on the assets and fund given to it by the state. That is why we want it to be analysed and re-stated," he said.

He noted that none of the reports had mentioned the the 1,300-acre plot of land in Serendah which is worth at least RM78 million (computed at RM60,000 per acre).

"The land is a valuable award to the YBK but it was not mentioned in the accounts. This is just one example. So we call on YBK to be transparent and provide the whole truth."

"Under the concept of public economy, if for example, the State has given RM100 million to the foundation, with the view of helping people, shouldn't Selangor have a say? RM100 million is a lot of money, given to a foundation for the people," reasoned Abdul Khalid after the launch of the Matta International Fair Selangor, Umrah and Muslim Travel (MASUM 2010).

The event was held at the Shah Alam Convention Centre (SACC) located next to Kompleks PKNS which was opened two months ago.

He emphasised that if it was not the past administration's normal practice to check on YBK's accounts, it matters for the current authority to ensure the financial support reflects in its accounts.

"We have to know what they are doing. If the past government didn't do it, then the present government will have to, as it is important (to us)," said Abdul Khalid, dismissing the presumption that his position supercedes others.

Asked if YBK's conviction that its reports to Attorney-General's Chambers wasn't sufficient to proof that it was above board, he appeared perplexed with its involvement.

"A-G has nothing to do with this," he pointed out.

Abdul Khalid stressed that that they will come up with information regarding YBK, which will be sent to the Malaysian public before the end of the month.

"We will come up with a press releases on why we have interest in YBK. We will make announcement on our own audit based on our facts and findings," he said.

Asked on YBK's latest stand to seek legal advice if it should lodge a report with the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC), Abdul Khalid indicated it was not an issue.

The Malay Mail had run a series of stories on YBK that it could not proceed with the development of the RM300 millon UiTM campus project in Serendah, because it had refused to bow to the pressure given from the state government.

It was learnt that the State Government had used the inability to of the foundation to settle quit rent arrears for 1,642 acres of its land as a reason to get Khalid as its chairman and Batu Tiga assemblyman Rodziah Ismail, appointed to YBK's board of trustees.

The foundation, which has had its numerous appeals to pay off the arrears by surrendering some of its land turned down, had wanted to settle the arrears with its earnings from the UiTM project -- which is slated to accommodate 5,000 students.

The project was awarded a Letter of Intent by the Federal government's Economic Planning Unit (EPU) in 2008 and Permodalan YBK was subsequently issued a Letter of approval by the Hulu Selangor District Council.

YBK on the other hand, stressed that its accounts are up-to-date and it has even posted them on its website .

On a different note, the State government had allocated some RM8 million for Visit Selangor 2010, under the theme "Selangor Shines".

The state is targeting at least 20 per cent to 30 per cent of the annual 4.6 million tourists who visit Selangor upon reaching the state via KLIA and extend their stay in Selangor. This is expected to boost the state's revenue coming from the tourism industry.

A total of 94 stalls took part in the MASUM 2010 fair to help Muslims perform their umrah and visit popular destinations such as Turkey, Dubai and Egypt.