Something fishy in RM466m building sale to Tabung Haji?

Harakahdaily

KUALA LUMPUR, Jun 21: PAS vice president and Pokok Sena member of parliament Mahfuz Omar has cast suspicion in the purchase of the 38-storey Platinum Park by Tabung Haji from TTDI Development, saying there was a conflict of interest. Speaking in parliament yesterday, Mahfuz pointed out that TTDI's director Johan Ariffin (right) also sits as director for Tabung Haji's two other subsidiaries Tabung Haji Properties Sdn Bhd and Tabung Haji Technology Sdn Bhd. Mahfuz said some RM466 million was exchanged in the sale of the building in 2009, at the rate of RM1,298 per square foot. The property boasts a total space of 360 thousand square feet. Mahfuz said Tabung Haji, which acts as a fund for Malaysians wishing to perform the Hajj in future, could have asked its two subsidiaries to carry out the construction of the building themselves. “Why did Tabung Haji not give the contract to develop the building to its two children companies? "If technical expertise was an issue, then why not Tabung Haji passed the project to Tabung Haji Properties which is constructing the Wakaf tower in Jalan Perak, Kuala Lumpur and in the middle of completing other projects such as the USJ Subang police station?” he asked. Mahfuz (left) pointed out that Tabung Haji Technology had experience in dealing with similar projects. On the rate of RM1,298 per square foot, he questioned whether any independent third party valuer had been consulted. Saying the bulk of Tabung Haji's fund was from the Muslim community, Mahfuz called on the government to clear the doubts. “We do not want the people’s money in Tabung Haji to be abused,” he added.