KJ: Danaharta didn't lose money in Tajudin affair

Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin yesterday said that he understands that Pengurusan Danaharta Nasional Berhad "did not incur losses" in the out-of-court settlement relating to the RM598 million debt by former Malaysia Airlines chief Tajudin Ramli.

"I believe that (what the government) did was in the interest of a solution and I am certain that Danaharta didn't incur losses in the Tajudin Ramli case," he said, citing "sources".

In fact, the Umno Youth chief said Tajudin may have even paid more than the amount owing, as a result of the undisclosed out-of-court settlement.

"We don't know the outcome as it was done out of court. (The opposition) says Tajuddin need not pay, but they don't say that maybe the settlement involved paying part of the debt or maybe more than the RM500 million owed."

Khairy had said this when answering a question by the moderator during a debate against PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli on the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) loans and the future of higher education in Malaysia.

'Gov't take NFC issue seriously'

Moderator and UIA lecturer Maszlee Malik had earlier asked Khairy why the government is pressuring students to service their loans when larger loans like the ones taken by Tajudin and the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) are not pursued.

Addressing an animated audience of at least 400, Khairy added that Danaharta has a debt recovery track record of 60 percent.

He also said that the NFC soft loan of RM250 million is also pursued seriously, as evident in the charging of its chairperson Mohamad Salleh Ismail for criminal breach of trust and violations of the Companies Act.

"This is a serious issue," said Khairy, who were among the first to defend the company when the issue arose last year.

Responding, Rafizi quipped that Khairy should "know that NFC's debts will be serviced as he is very close to NFC from the start".

He added that while Khairy seems to be answering "as if he is Tajudin's lawyer", the MP failed to explain why "small fish are pressured while sharks with full bellies are let off".

The robust debate late yesterday was organised by Malay-language daily Sinar Harian and is the second time the duo have faced off against each other.

The previous debate was held in London.