PKR questions RM1.3 billion UiTM project

Rafizi Ramli wants an explanation as to why an Umno leader's company got the deal to build and maintain a UiTM campus in Tapah, Perak

PETALING JAYA: A company belonging to an Umno leader in Perak received a concession deal worth RM1.3 billion to set up and maintain a university in the state, alleged PKR.

PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli said Detik Utuh Sdn Bhd, owned by the Umno leader, is working with Crest Builder Holdings to build Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) campus in Tapah, Perak.

“In order to work on the project, both the companies have set up another one called Unitapah Sdn Bhd to jointly manage the project which is slated for completion in 2014,” said Rafizi.

“Crest Builders had announced to the public in May 2010 that the project is worth about RM285 million, which is quite fair.

“But what is not known is that Unitapah got a concession agreement worth RM1.3 billion for 23 years to set up and maintain the campus,” said Rafizi.

“Only in Malaysia you have the government paying for a building set up, doesn’t matter whether the structure is used or not,” he said.

With the campus slated to be built on a 837,872 square foot of land, Rafizi calculated that the government would have to pay Unitapah RM56.77 million annually to maintain the campus.

Rafizi urged the Higher Education Ministry and the UiTM management to explain why Detik Utuh was given the deal, claiming it did not have a track record in the construction business.

“What is Detik Utuh’s track record? Why not just award the deal to Crest Builders which is the real company building the campus?” asked Rafizi.

A check with the Registrar of Companies (ROC), revealed that Pasir Salak Umno division chief Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, is one of Detik Utuh’s shareholder.