The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) has denied a PKR leader’s allegation that it had given Pahang-based company NSE Resources Corporation a RM100 million grant for research and development purposes.
At a press conference this afternoon, Deputy Minister Abu Bakar Mat Diah also revealed the list of grant recipients numbering more than 4,000, which did not include the name of the firm implicated by Rafizi Ramli.
In an earlier press conference, the PKR strategy director claimed that the firm received another RM50 million from the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry.
"The sum extended to the company is more than what the company needs for the project," he said in reference to both grants totaling RM150 million.
Rafizi also called on Najib to explain the "special relationship" between the company and him, his family members, Umno or BN to deserve this generous gift
Earlier this week, Rafizi disclosed letters from a whistleblower-source that the "renewable energy" company received approval for a RM100 million grant from Mosti in just two months with direct help from the PM.
He alleged that the company needed the money for a commercial steam-making project in Kerteh that it could not obtain bank loans for.
That project, almost completed now, is said to cost only RM130 million.
Veracity of letters questioned
Malaysiakini sent queries to the company but have not received any response since Monday.
Besides denying the grant allegation, Abu Bakar also questioned the veracity of the letters produced by Rafizi.
He said the ministry’s records showed that no single private company got more than RM3 million each, from the total RM2.9 billion handed out under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.
Rafizi had disclosed four letters of the purportedly high-level and secretive deals between the company's director, the PM and Mosti Minister Ewon Ebin.
The RM100 million award was confirmed again in a letter (dated Jan 27,2014) allegedly written by the company to the Terengganu state economic planning unit, appealing for a meeting.
Rafizi pointed out that the letter revealed that the company had also received a RM50 million grant under the energy ministry's “Green Technology Scheme” and even mentioned that it would be dispersed shortly by a bank.
The Pandan MP said that since his disclosure to the press, he has received only a short text message from someone claiming to be Najib's rep, asking for more information.
The PKR strategy director said he would not entertain such requests.
As a follow-up action, Rafizi said he urged the government to immediately stop the grant and form expert panels to evaluate the company's R&D credentials.
He said the government should also rope in the Auditor-General's Office to investigate, while he would file a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission next week if the case does not draw a response from Najib.
At a press conference this afternoon, Deputy Minister Abu Bakar Mat Diah also revealed the list of grant recipients numbering more than 4,000, which did not include the name of the firm implicated by Rafizi Ramli.
In an earlier press conference, the PKR strategy director claimed that the firm received another RM50 million from the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry.
"The sum extended to the company is more than what the company needs for the project," he said in reference to both grants totaling RM150 million.Rafizi also called on Najib to explain the "special relationship" between the company and him, his family members, Umno or BN to deserve this generous gift
Earlier this week, Rafizi disclosed letters from a whistleblower-source that the "renewable energy" company received approval for a RM100 million grant from Mosti in just two months with direct help from the PM.
He alleged that the company needed the money for a commercial steam-making project in Kerteh that it could not obtain bank loans for.
That project, almost completed now, is said to cost only RM130 million.
Veracity of letters questioned
Malaysiakini sent queries to the company but have not received any response since Monday.
Besides denying the grant allegation, Abu Bakar also questioned the veracity of the letters produced by Rafizi.
He said the ministry’s records showed that no single private company got more than RM3 million each, from the total RM2.9 billion handed out under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.
Rafizi had disclosed four letters of the purportedly high-level and secretive deals between the company's director, the PM and Mosti Minister Ewon Ebin.
The RM100 million award was confirmed again in a letter (dated Jan 27,2014) allegedly written by the company to the Terengganu state economic planning unit, appealing for a meeting.
Rafizi pointed out that the letter revealed that the company had also received a RM50 million grant under the energy ministry's “Green Technology Scheme” and even mentioned that it would be dispersed shortly by a bank.
The Pandan MP said that since his disclosure to the press, he has received only a short text message from someone claiming to be Najib's rep, asking for more information.
The PKR strategy director said he would not entertain such requests.
As a follow-up action, Rafizi said he urged the government to immediately stop the grant and form expert panels to evaluate the company's R&D credentials.
He said the government should also rope in the Auditor-General's Office to investigate, while he would file a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission next week if the case does not draw a response from Najib.
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